Lowther Castle & Gardens

About

Since it opened to the public in 2012, Lowther Castle & Gardens – comprising castle ruins, extensive gardens, woodland, ponds and a huge adventure playground – has established itself as one of the most popular and unusual visitor attractions in the northwest. It is set in the Lake District National Park, a Unesco World Heritage site and sits on the dramatic Knipe Scar with far-reaching views over the river Lowther and the Lowther valley below.

Lowther Castle itself was first constructed in the early 19th century. For 130 years or so, the castle was a beacon of grandeur in the northwest – a place where the great and the good came to enjoy a remarkable art collection and fabled setting. But after two wars and a prolonged period of underinvestment, the castle’s fortunes turned. In 1957, its roof was removed while the gardens were overplanted with a commercial spruce plantation.

Today, thanks to a great deal of hard work and investment, the castle ruins are stable while the gardens themselves have been brought back extensively to life. The Garden-in-the-Ruins is just that, a garden growing up through the old walls of the ruin. The Parterre is a fascinating modern interpretation of an old concept, woolly yew hedges enclosing a host of unusual perennial combinations. The Yew Avenue and the Western Terrace are barely changed since they were established in the 17th century while the Rose Garden – a triumphant addition by Dan Pearson, the garden designing mastermind – is an oasis of colour and smell. Deep in the woods, the lost castle adventure playground awaits – with zipwires, turrets, slides, cages, ropes, sandpits designed for all ages.

The café serves excellent freshly made food. Takeaway available. Exhibition, shop, cycle hire.

Open all year. 15 minutes from the M6, 5 miles from Ullswater. 

Located on the northern edge of the Lake District National Park, three miles from the M6, junction 40.