WHILST Cumbria is famed for its beautiful lakes and mountains, many people often forget the county's rich history. 

The area is filled with historical sites which show a wealth of history dating back thousands of years. 

Many places like Carlisle and Maryport are steeped in Roman history, and other places like Whitehaven have a rich Maritime heritage dating back to the 1700s. 

One part of history that is consistent across North and West Cumbria is the Medieval castles. 

The county has an abundance of these beautiful, historical, landmarks which give colour to Cumbria's exciting and varied existence.

We've created a list of the top castles to go out and explore this summer. 

Lowther Castle and Gardens

This estate has belonged to the Lowther family since the Middle Ages. 

Nowadays, the castle is a ruin that is being fully managed to offer access to the public. 

The structure sits on the border of the River Lowther. 

Carlisle Castle 

The stone-kept medieval fortress has looked over the city of Carlisle for hundreds of years, close to the site of Hadrian's Wall. 

Visitors can enjoy exhibitions and displays depicting the buildings' past. 

It was first built during the reign of William II and rebuilt some years later during the reign of Henry II. 

Egremont Castle 

The ruins of the castle look over the town of Egremont in West Cumbria, just a few miles from Whitehaven. 

Surrounding the castle's remains are gardens and flower beds which are maintained regularly. 

Cockermouth Castle 

This historic site sits alongside the Rivers Derwent and Cocker. It is a Grade I listed building and scheduled monument. 

Muncaster Castle 

The historic landmark of Muncaster Castle, which is just some miles south of Whitehaven is still maintained to a high standard to this day. 

It is a popular tourist attraction in the area and has been occupied by the Pennington family for generations.