Britain as a whole is rich in history, and the Lake District is no exception. The landscape we see today, the place names, the wildlife and the villages owe so much to what has gone before, and it's a fascinating tale. Since the last ice age,  prehistoric man made rock carvings in Langdale and Ullswater, the Romans made a road across the high fells, the Vikings started clearing the forests and in modern times quarrying and farming have created much of what we see today. 

 The evidence of the last ice age can be found in the valley shapes and rock features found locally, but man-made structures start with the stone circles and megaliths which can be found throughout the region. Dating back approximately 5000 years, the stone circles of Cumbria are usually sited in stunning locations 

Two of the most famous stone circles are Long Meg and Castlerigg, pictured left. Long Meg is particularly large, and retains a large standing stone with carvings known as Long Meg. The other stones in the circle are known as Long Meg's daughters. Castlerigg is in a most striking setting beneath the mighty ridges of Blencathra.

 The Romans had a major presence in the north of England - everyone has heard of Hadrian's Wall - but they also connected the forts along the wall to the west coast of Cumbria via an audacious route across the fells known as High Street. This linked forts in the Penrith area with Galava at Ambleside and the fort at Hardknott, pictured right. The route continued to the port at Ravenglass.

More recently, the industries of the past 150 years have had a big impact on the Lakeland landscape. From Charcoal Burning to Agriculture, the evidence is there to be found as to how one of Britain's most beautiful landscapes has been modified over the centuries to create what we see today. Our experienced guides will bring the history of the area to life for you on walks of the highest quality.