Discover the English Heritage Sites of The Lake District

Ambleside Roman Fort 

You can find what remains of Ambleside Roman Fort in a strategic location next to the lake at the north end of Windermere. 

Most experts on the Roman Empire believe it was built during Hadrian’s reign to guard the road from Ravenglass to Brougham and to act as a base for supplies for the soldiers stationed nearby, but there is evidence of an earlier wooden fort.

What can you see now?

The remains of three buildings: the large granary, the substantial two-storey commandant’s house, and the headquarters, which included offices, store rooms and a strong room underneath a small temple to look after the regiment’s money.

You can also look at some of the artefacts that have been found during previous excavations at the nearby Armitt museum.

Hardknott Roman Fort 

We can’t imagine being stationed at Hardknott Fort was any Roman soldier’s idea of a dream posting. Remote, windswept, and freezing cold in the winter (and not too sun-drenched the rest of the year either), it was crewed by troops who were used to the far warmer climes of the eastern Adriatic. On the plus side, they did have a spectacular view across the Eskdale Valley.

The well-preserved foundations of several buildings can still be seen: the bathhouse, barracks, headquarters and the commandant’s building.

Built during Hadrian’s reign, it became an important site again years later when Marcus Aurelius was calling the shots. Just be careful on the drive up – while the scenery is spectacular, the road is steep, winding, narrow and just a little bit scary.

Ravenglass Roman Bath House

A ruined ancient Roman bath house belonging to a 2nd-century Roman fort and naval base (known to the Romans as Itunocelum).

The bath house is described by Matthew Hyde in his update to the Pevsner Guide to Cumbria as “an astonishing survival“. The still-standing walls are 13 ft (4 m) high, there are patches of the internal rendering, in dull red and white cement, and traces of the splayed window openings remain.

The bath house is located about 15-20 minutes’ walk from the village of Ravenglass. There is a signposted path from the main car park in the village. You can visit from 10am to 5pm daily, except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Admission to the bathhouse is free for English Heritage members. Otherwise, there is a small admission fee for adults and children.

The path to the bath house is unpaved and can be muddy in wet weather. The bathhouse itself is also not accessible for wheelchair users or people with limited mobility.

Force Crag Mine, Braithwaite, Near Keswick

You can see the evidence of Cumbria’s important long history of mining all over the county.

Coal, lead, zinc, copper, haematite, slate, and graphite have all been mined here, and Cumbria’s mining heritage likely dates back to Roman times.

Well worth a visit is Force Crag Mine. In a gorgeous location above the village of Braithwaite, near Keswick, it was the last working metal mine in the Lake District, finally ceasing operations in 1991. 

Lead and then zinc were mined there, and much of the mining machinery remains. You can visit the outside of the mine at any time of the year, but if you want to take a look inside at the machinery, tracks and tramways, you’ll need to check for one of the National Trust’s occasional open days.

Sizergh Castle, near Kendal

Time to get medieval. 26 generations of the Hornyold-Strickland family have lived at Sizergh Castle since it was built in the 14th century, and while it’s now looked after by the National Trust, the family still lives there.

As well as the main castle building, which is filled with important artefacts and rare oak furniture from the Elizabethan period when the castle was extended, you can also enjoy the extensive landscaped gardens, refuel at the modern café, and let the kids loose in the wild play area with its climbing wall, rope swings and balance beams.

You can even pick up a book from the second-hand bookshop to take back to your accommodation.