Explore Cumbria’s churches

Discover the wonder of Cumbria's sacred heritage. There are hundreds of churches, chapels and meeting houses across the county for you to visit, each with their own story to tell.

Churches show the evolution of culture, local heritage, family history and tales of human events and achievements; embellished with architecture, art and craftsmanship.

Our Church Directory will help you to locate individual churches in Cumbria. We have also been working with the National Churches Trust to include Cumbria’s church buildings on the ExploreChurches website. However, there are also some different tailor-made trails and routes that allow you to discover some of our beautiful buildings in a little more detail.

Faith Trails

The CTfC created these trails with the help of local groups and consultant Joanna Booth.

Sacred Solway

A trail between 10 churches in the north of the county built from the stones of Hadrian’s wall.

railways & religion

12 small, serene chapels and churches in the Western Dales, their history and links to the railway.

land, sea & spirit

The relationship of these 3 vital elements are explored through 15 churches in the Furness Peninsula.

We would like to include more trails in the future, if you know of any please contact jayne@ctfc.org.uk

Visit Eden

Three Church Trails around Eden as well as guides to what’s going on in the Eden valley on their website.

Eden Valley and North Pennines

Start from Penrith and discover the smaller towns and villages of the Eden Valley and North Pennines.

Ullswater and surrounding villages

Start from Penrith and visit parish churches around Ullswater and surrounding villages.

in the footsteps of Lady Anne Clifford

Start from Penrith and visit the Eden Valley, following in the footsteps of Lady Anne Clifford.

You can also Pick up the Eden Church Trail leaflet from Penrith Tourist Information Centre.

Other Recommended Routes

These are routes created by others, but which showcase various churches around Cumbria.

Cartmel Peninsula Church Trail

Places of historic and spiritual significance over eight centuries.

Poets Artists & Angels

Stained Glass windows of the Churches of South Copeland.

Churches of Millom and South Copeland

Discovering the stained glass within this area’s churches.

The Pilgrim Trust

The Pilgrim Trust is a is a charity dedicated to renewing pilgrimage in Britain. Their goal is to “advance British pilgrimage as a form of cultural heritage that promotes holistic wellbeing, for the public benefit.” Routes in Cumbria include:

St Bega’s Way

The Cistercian Way

The Kentigern Way

More from the Churches Trust for Cumbria

Church Directory

Cumbria has over 600 places of worship, each as diverse as the communities whose stories they tell. Use our interactive map to find buildings near you.

About us

Find out more about what the Churches Trust for Cumbria is and meet the people behind it.

Announcements

Find out the latest news and information from Churches Trust for Cumbria.