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Lowther Castle & Gardens

A stunning Lake District visitor attraction

Of the many treasures waiting to be discovered in the English Lake District, Lowther Castle is a particular gem. Built at the turn of the 19th century on the site of two previous houses, the castle was a grand affair boasting a room for every day of the year. Its gardens were the envy of the north.

But in 1957 the castle was demolished. Just the façade and outer walls remained standing and for over half a century, the place was empty – home only to chickens, pigs and the odd bat. The gardens were lost to wilderness.

Today Lowther Castle is one of the most intriguing visitor attractions in the country. Dramatic ruins, gardens within gardens, an adventure playground to rival the best in the land. We look forward to welcoming you.

A grand day out..

As you set out to visit Lowther Castle, we would like to make a few suggestions. Bring your children, your grandchildren, your friends, your dogs (on leads). Dress for all weathers, wear big smiles and expect to stay a while.

Lowther Castle is full of stories. Many of these are told in the exhibition, the Story of Lowther. And if you go exploring, through the ruins, through the gardens and woodland, you will find plenty more food for the imagination. The same family has lived here for 850 years and you can see and hear their echoes.

Meanwhile, if the younger members of your team wish to make their own stories, then seek out the lost castle, one of the UK’s largest adventure playgrounds. And when all of you are ready for a rest, you can retreat to the café or the takeaway and have some delicious freshly-made food.

The castle ruins and gardens are open every day from 10am to 4pm in winter and 10am to 5pm in summer. For castle and garden entry fees, click here. Last entry to the gardens 1 hour before closing.

PS. Cycle-hire is also on the menu so once you have explored the castle and gardens to your satisfaction, you can climb aboard a bicycle and journey around the wider park.

Gardens
Exhibition
Castle
the lost castle Adventure Playground
Lake District Honey Company
Cycle-Hire
Natural Land Management

#lowthercastle

The Lowther ball for bats🦇 … our new trail is live! If you’re lucky chocolatey treats might be waiting for you at the end… 🍫 (alternate prizes available for none choc eaters)

The Lowther ball for bats🦇 … our new trail is live! If you’re lucky chocolatey treats might be waiting for you at the end… 🍫 (alternate prizes available for none choc eaters) ...

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Join us as Rachel, one of our keen gardeners talks us through the propagation that the team are currently undergoing in the poly tunnel.

Join us as Rachel, one of our keen gardeners talks us through the propagation that the team are currently undergoing in the poly tunnel. ...

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Gardeners get your engines ready 🚜 Another day spent improving the gardens in the sunshine! ☀️#gardens #gardening #cumbria #autumn #thelakes #thelakedistrict

Gardeners get your engines ready 🚜 Another day spent improving the gardens in the sunshine! ☀️

#gardens #gardening #cumbria #autumn #thelakes #thelakedistrict
...

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Once this attractive baneberry appears, it becomes a talking point on the Tapestry Parterre throughout the year. Its purplish-black divided foliage is noteworthy, and @danpearsonstudio paired it with the white allium ‘Mount Everest’ - a very striking combination. The stiff flower spikes with their purplish-black buds show great promise, and when the numerous cream-white flowers open, they don’t disappoint. The fluffy spikes appeal to many pollinators, and the sweet fragrance is memorable. Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) ‘James Compton’ is slow to establish and looks best en-masse in partial shade in moist-retentive, organically rich soils.
#plantofinterest #perennial #actaeajamescompton #woodlandplant #horticulture #lowthercastle #lakedistrict

Once this attractive baneberry appears, it becomes a talking point on the Tapestry Parterre throughout the year. Its purplish-black divided foliage is noteworthy, and @danpearsonstudio paired it with the white allium ‘Mount Everest’ - a very striking combination. The stiff flower spikes with their purplish-black buds show great promise, and when the numerous cream-white flowers open, they don’t disappoint. The fluffy spikes appeal to many pollinators, and the sweet fragrance is memorable. Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) ‘James Compton’ is slow to establish and looks best en-masse in partial shade in moist-retentive, organically rich soils.

#plantofinterest #perennial #actaeajamescompton #woodlandplant #horticulture #lowthercastle #lakedistrict
...

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Apple season is now upon us! Here’s a little reminder to be safe out there when you’re picking your Pink Ladies and Granny Smiths. 🍏

Apple season is now upon us! Here’s a little reminder to be safe out there when you’re picking your Pink Ladies and Granny Smiths. 🍏 ...

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