Must See Sights and Landmarks in Red Dial Area

"Cockermouth was the birthplace of William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy, whose childhood home was this 18th-century town house, carefully…"

"It has withstood many sieges, contained a valuable royal prisoner, and been home to the King's Own Royal Border Regiment. Discover the castle's turbulent past in the fascinating family-friendly exhibition. Explore medieval castle rooms as well as 19th century military buildings, and visit Cumbria's Museum of Military Life"

"There may not be a castle in England that has lived through as much carnage as Carlisle Castle. It was established by the Normans on top of a Roman fort during the reign of William II at the end of the 11th century. For the next 650 years there was near-constant conflict."

"Consecrated as an Augustinian Priory in the 12th century, Carlisle Cathedral is the second-smallest cathedral in England after Oxford. One reason for this is that a big piece of the nave was torn down in the English Civil War to bolster Carlisle Castle. The architecture is Gothic, mostly from the 13th and 14th centuries."

"This old slate mine has been reinvented as a centre for all kinds of activities: you could venture underground into the bowels of the old 'Edge' and 'Kimberley' mines, tackle a via ferrata, or climb inside the mine along a system of fixed cables, tracing the route followed by the slate miners. A tour into the 'Cathedral' mine runs on Friday by request, but you'll need eight people and it costs £25 per person."

"Seven miles east of Caerlaverock Castle, in tiny Ruthwell, a church holds one of Europe’s most important early Christian monuments. The 6m-high 7th-century Ruthwell Cross is carved top to bottom in New Testament scenes and is inscribed with a poem called ‘The Dream of the Rood’; written in a Saxon runic alphabet, it’s considered one of the earliest examples of English-language literature. Bus 79 running between Dumfries and Annan stops in Ruthwell."

"Kat's Kitchen is a delightful vegan cafe, serving homemade meals, including English breakfast and sandwiches with a wonderful selection of gluten free cakes on offer. It offers plant milk options too for hot drinks and milkshakes whilst also keeping dairy milk as an option. Offering brunch and lunch all year around, the kitchen offers early dinner during the busier months and introduced afternoon tea in 2020."

"Lake Road, Keswick (10 min drive) — Art Gallery and cafe in Keswick, serving great lunches. One of The Independent’s top 50 coffee shops in the UK. Same family ownership as Derwentwater House."