The English Lake District WHS

Historic churches in the English Lake District

Historic Churches & Priories

This collection showcases Cumbria’s ecclesiastical history, ranging from the grand 12th-century Cartmel Priory to St Olaf’s in Wasdale Head, recognized as England’s smallest parish church. Highlights include St Mary’s in Ambleside, a Gothic Revival masterpiece designed by George Gilbert Scott, and Grasmere’s St Oswald’s Church, famous for its connections to William Wordsworth. These sites, including 16th-century mountain chapels and the expansive five-aisled Kendal Parish Church, reflect centuries of architectural evolution across the Lake District.

Historic Churches & Priories — Map

MaxHund / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

St Kentigerns

St Kentigern's Church,, is in the village of Caldbeck, Cumbria, England.

Doug Sim / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

St Bega's Church

A 10th-century foundation situated in an isolated setting on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake. The current building dates primarily from the 12th and 13th centuries and features a simple, rustic interior with a rare pre-Norman lead font.

C

Kendal Parish Church

Kendal Parish Church, also known as the Holy Trinity Church due to its dedication to the Holy Trinity, is the Anglican parish church of …

Gregory Rose / CC BY-SA 4.0

D

St Mary's

St Mary's Church is in Ambleside, Cumbria, England. It was built in the 1850s to a design by George Gilbert Scott in Gothic Revival style.

Juliux / CC BY-SA 3.0

E

Saint Oswald's Church

St Oswald's Church is in the village of Grasmere, in the Lake District, Cumbria, England.

Chris March / CC BY-SA 2.0

F

St Olaf

St Olaf's Church in Wasdale Head, Cumbria, is England's smallest parish church.

Mick Knapton / CC BY-SA 3.0

G

Newlands Church

Newlands Church is a 16th-century church situated less than 500 metres west of the hamlet of Little Town, Cumbria, England in the Newlands…

Doug Sim / CC BY-SA 4.0

H

St Michael's Church

St Michael's Church is located by the side of the River Derwent in the dispersed settlement of Isel, in the civil parish of Blindcrake,…

Jordan 1972 / Public domain

I

Cartmel Priory

Cartmel Priory church serves as the parish church of Cartmel, Cumbria, England.

Andrewrabbott / CC BY-SA 4.0

J

St James Church

St James' Church, Staveley is a Grade II listed parish church in the Church of England in Staveley, Cumbria.

Mick Knapton / CC BY-SA 3.0

K

St Martin (Martindale Old Church)

St Martin's Church, Martindale is located in the valley of Martindale in Cumbria, England.

Dougsim / CC BY-SA 4.0

L

St Paul's Church

St Paul, Irton is an active parish church in the civil parish of Irton with Santon, Cumbria, England.

Anon user / CC0

M

St. Catherine's Church

St Catherine's Church is in the village of Boot in the English county of Cumbria.

andrewrabbott / CC BY-SA 4.0

N

St Cuthberts Church

St Cuthbert's Church, Kentmere is a Grade II listed parish church in the Church of England in Kentmere, Cumbria.

Other Lists

The English Lake District WHS Essentials Lakes and Waterfalls Lake District Mountain Views Lake District Historic Sites Lake District Outdoor Adventures Natural Wetlands & Bogs