Being a ceremonial county in the North Western part of England, Cumbria is well-known for its rich culture and arts. The place is also known for its literature, due to one of the greatest poets of all time, William Wordsworth.
The name Cumbria is derived from the name the Welsh people had given themselves, “kombroges” in Common Brittonic, which meant “compatriots”!
It is also known for its picturesque landscapes and the natural beauty of the largest National Park in Britain’s Lake District. Since Cumbria is home to the magnificent castles and the greenery that surrounds the area, it has become the nest of tourists all across the globe.
From investing pencils to having one of the best art and literary works in the medieval period to its wildlife, you have got it all here!
Thus, there are several reasons to visit Cumbria. Are you curious about them? Then stick till the end of the article to find your answers. Also, learn about Weekend Getaway in the UK by reading this article.
So, let’s get started!
The Wealth of Its History
Being, among the historic counties, the history of Cumbria with England had kickstarted in 1972 after the introduction of Local Government Act.
The constituent parts and the territories were created in 1974, and brought all the geologically rich aspects such as fertile plains and mountains.
However, its history has been shaped by the continuous Roman invasions and battles. Due to this, there are several fortresses & castles that are still notably still in existence and hold significance in the landscape today.
So, what was first an invaded area in the 43 AD by the Romans, now stands as Cumbria about 30 years later. It was the logistical capital for the empire.
DID YOU KNOW? According to a report released by Cumbria LEP, the country hosts around 47 million tourists annually! Tourism sustains 20% of the nation’s economy.
The Lake District National Park
Also known as England’s largest National Park, the Lake District National Park is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is the home for the highest mountain, Wastwater and has served as inspiration for the lovers of art and literature.
The lake is named as the Bassenthwaite Lake and is referred to in several ways. Amidst the picturesque view of the hills and the vibrant autumn foliage, you can enjoy it closely by renting boats or cruises for the retreat.
This makes it the ideal spot for a family picnic, and explore the fells and feel the splash about the lakes while adventuring.
Enchanting Towns & Villages
Since Cumbria has only about 73 inhabitants per km2 , it is known as the country’s second least densely populated county of the UK. Thus, there are numerous settlement types which aren’t usually very crowded, yet aesthetically pleasing.
There are some of the cherry-picked villages that every traveler should visit once in a lifetime:
- Kirkby Lonsdale
- Keswick
- Ulverstone
- Bowness-on-Windermere
- Grasmere (their ginger breads are a must-try!)
- Ambleside
- Hawkshead
- Coniston Water
Here, you can experience the authentic daily lives of the local people and also get to visit the market towns such as Keswick, Kendal, and Cockermouth.
Explore the area’s best-kept secrets and enjoy the opportunities of exploring the water sports and being mesmerized by the unique architecture. You can look for group accommodation options in the Lake District and explore the area.
FUN FACT! Cumbria is home to 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites: Hadrian’s Wall and the English Lake District. Their natural beauty has inspired renowned artists & writers such as Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter!
Delectable Culinary
The county offers you a tantalizing glimpse into the culinary heritage that it has to offer to the tourists.
You should visit the pubs and restaurants located in the heart of the Lake District, where you can savor the Cumbrian classics and the creative variations of the dishes.
Listed below are some of the cuisines that is a must-try, whenever you visit the place:
- Sticky Toffee Pudding
- Grasmere Gingerbread (the most shipped delicacy across the globe!)
- Kendal Mint Cake
- Herdwick Hogget
- Cumberland Sausage
- Lyth Valley Damsons
- Morecambe Bay Shrimps
- Cumbriian Gin
Most of them were invented in between the 15th-19th century, which makes them a historic delicacy and highlights of the nation. What sets them apart from the rest of the delicacies found across the globe is the texture and taste of the delicacies
Historic Sites and Castles
Cumbria is widely known for its historic sites and attractions based on the castles. If you are planning on visiting the castles, there’s 16 of them! However, these were mostly built by the Roman empires.
Some of the well-known castles are listed below:
- Sizergh Castle
- Wray Castle
- Carlisle Caste
- Penrith Castle
- Harrows Scar Milecastle
- Kendal Castle
- Gleaston Castle
- Hardknott ROman Fort
It is also known for the Castlerigg stone circle, located near Keswick for the Neolithic stones found on the site.
There are several castles that are now in ruin, but you can still visit them and learn about the lives of the people who lived there.
Final Thoughts
Named after the compatriots, Cumbria is the top pick of the tourists across the globe for its natural beauty. You also get to witness the Lake District and live the moments that inspired and gave birth to the greatest writers and artists of all time.
There, you can explore the culinary dishes, their culture, see the villages and do a lot more things! So, what are you waiting for? Bon Voyage!
