Theatres, Maritime History, the Arts and Crafts Movement, Genealogy
In Search of the Arts and Craft Movement
 Edward Burne Jones Stained Glass |
The four principles forged by the Arts and Crafts Movement - design in unity, joy in labour, individualism and regionalism - were sought to provide an alternative to the harshness of industrial Victorian Britain.
The County of Cumbria provides a wealth of examples of the 19th Century Arts and Crafts Movement and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.
Our Northern County Tour takes you to Tullie House Museum in the Border City of Carlisle to see the fine art collection of some outstanding Pre-Raphaelite artists including Edward Burne Jones and Dante Gabriel Rossetti.
Your journey to Carlisle is via the Solway Plain with outstanding views of the Scottish Borders and you will, if you wish, stop off on route at Hutton in the Forest, a historic house with one room dedicated to the works of the Keswick School of Industrial Art and Design, and a lovely garden in a unique woodland setting.
There are many examples of Decorative Stained Glass from the School of Edward Burne Jones and William Morris but the very best is at St. Martins Church, Brampton, a few miles north of Carlisle and we shall take time to visit. Other examples of their work are at nearby Lanercost Priory and not far from Naworth Castle, another "haunt" of "the Firm".
On our return journey a stop at Wreay Church, an eccentric, small, Lombardic revival church designed and built by local women Sarah Losh. There is so much to see and do in the North of Cumbria you will have difficulty choosing!
South Lakes "Arts and Crafts Movement" Tour
In the Summer of 2002 Abbot Hall Art Gallery, based in Kendal, opened a unique house designed by the architect H. Baillie Scott House.
“Blackwell”- the Arts and Crafts House – is situated in Bowness on Windermere and sits proudly above the Lake. It is one of England’s most important houses with wonderfully rich intereiors that have survived almost entirely intact.
Combine a day visiting “Blackwell”
with “Brantwood”, the home of John Ruskin, a wonderful house
and garden positioned in the dramatic Lakeland setting of Coniston.
Theatre Tours
 The Ashton Memorial Lancaster |
In August 1999 the first class Theatre on the Lake, at Derwentwater, Keswick, opened. It has already earned International popularity and a first class reputation. Tours can be arranged "backstage" along with tickets for the theatres outstanding year round performances.
Plus
Experience an evening at Williams Park, in the City of Lancaster. Promenade Plays set at a variety of locations throughout the Park. Sunsets over Morecambe Bay and superior performances by the actors of the Dukes Theatre, Lancaster!
Genealogy
Trace your family tree. Research into the history of your family can result in a spectacular tour through wonderful scenery, Historic farmhouses, towns and villages. Tours designed to study your ancestors lives and the people and places they may have visited.
Maritime Cumbria
Cumbria's
Western Lakes and Coast is a region of fascinating contrasts.
The peace and serenity of the Lakes and Fells provide a backdrop of
breathtaking beauty for the dramatic coastline.
Picturesque villages and traditional market towns.
 The Harbour at Maryport |
Visit Maryport, with its maritime heritage and connections with the Titanic and Mutiny on the Bounty, is an 18th Century planned town, set on a cliff above the Solway. It was also an important Roman Seaport.
Further South is the elegant, Georgian town of Whitehaven. In the days of sailing ships Whitehaven had important links with North America and the Caribbean and Antigua Rum.
The grandmother of the first President of the USA, George Washington, came from Whitehaven and is buried in the town. John Paul Jones led the only attack on British soil by US forces in 1778. A visit to Whitehaven is steeped in history with opportunities to explore mines, harbours, a lighthouse and outstanding museums.
