Lowther Castle & Gardens
Please note that while the castle pinnacle is being rebuilt –
a precarious operation involving cranes and heavy masonry
– there is limited access to the castle ruin and parterre.
Works are proving delicate. We hoped they would be done by mid-June but that is beginning to look optimistic.
If it is important for you to have access to the staircase tower, please email info@lowthercastle.org for updates.
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.
#lowthercastle
A great week of progress in the garden, rain or no rain. Full bulletin to follow.
Meanwhile here is a photo of one our young gardeners and her new friend Dennis, a cheery bundle of furry sweetness who came calling
#doglover #gardening #gardensfordogs
A great week of progress in the garden, rain or no rain. Full bulletin to follow.
Meanwhile here is a photo of one our young gardeners and her new friend Dennis, a cheery bundle of furry sweetness who came calling
#doglover #gardening #gardensfordogs
Another very pleasing endorsement of the gardens, this time from Amateur Gardening magazine and this time focusing on the Rose Garden.
@amateurgardeningofficial @danpearsonstudio @david_austin_roses
#gardensofinstagram #rosegardens #roses #rosesgrowonyou
Another very pleasing endorsement of the gardens, this time from Amateur Gardening magazine and this time focusing on the Rose Garden.
@amateurgardeningofficial @danpearsonstudio @david_austin_roses
#gardensofinstagram #rosegardens #roses #rosesgrowonyou
Before the rains came, a week in the garden.
From the replacement of struggling yews to the planting of 3988 perennials in the Sweet Scented Garden; from the building of special bamboo tepees to the planting of Camellia `Cornish Snow` under their protection; from Yukitsuri (Japanese snow hangings) to trailers filled with weeds; from buttercup (meadow) to buttercup (creeping); from hairy chervil to wild Rosa hugonis.
A busy week as always - three cheers for the team (and to Ben, Lucy, Pat, Rachel, Andrew and Andrea for their photos and films).
#spring #halfterm #whitweek #hardwork #gardening #camellia #yukitsuri #buttercup #gardensofinstagram
@andreabrunsendorf @lwuce @abenventure
Before the rains came, a week in the garden.
From the replacement of struggling yews to the planting of 3988 perennials in the Sweet Scented Garden; from the building of special bamboo tepees to the planting of Camellia `Cornish Snow` under their protection; from Yukitsuri (Japanese snow hangings) to trailers filled with weeds; from buttercup (meadow) to buttercup (creeping); from hairy chervil to wild Rosa hugonis.
A busy week as always - three cheers for the team (and to Ben, Lucy, Pat, Rachel, Andrew and Andrea for their photos and films).
#spring #halfterm #whitweek #hardwork #gardening #camellia #yukitsuri #buttercup #gardensofinstagram
@andreabrunsendorf @lwuce @abenventure
A week in the gardens - planting in the Sweet-Scented Garden; clearing vegetation from the follies and ponds in the Iris Garden; celebrating the first sighting of a dock beetle - this may help control the dock population; Head and Senior Gardeners tackling stop cocks at the pond in the Japanese Garden; plus Viola cornuta alba, Aquilegia vulgaris and Rosa `Dunwich Rose` basking in the warmth. And a smiling team member to round off the bulletin.
@taranaki_time @andreabrunsendorf @lwuce and thanks to all other members of gardening team for photos
#gardening #radiantspring #flowers #plumbing #dunwichrose
A week in the gardens - planting in the Sweet-Scented Garden; clearing vegetation from the follies and ponds in the Iris Garden; celebrating the first sighting of a dock beetle - this may help control the dock population; Head and Senior Gardeners tackling stop cocks at the pond in the Japanese Garden; plus Viola cornuta alba, Aquilegia vulgaris and Rosa `Dunwich Rose` basking in the warmth. And a smiling team member to round off the bulletin.
@taranaki_time @andreabrunsendorf @lwuce and thanks to all other members of gardening team for photos
#gardening #radiantspring #flowers #plumbing #dunwichrose
Radiant days in the gardens...
#cloudless #spring #glorious #sunshine
Another busy week at Lowther Castle 🏰
BBC2, Wednesday 16th April 6.30pm.
The castle on your screens this week....
The final pieces of the complex jigsaw of Lowther Castle and the consolidation of the ruin are falling into place. (Not falling exactly but being positioned with great care and skill by James Lightfoot and his fellow stonemasons.) Pictured, a steel being inserted to support the pinnacle, which is a huge upturned V of stone that will soon be returned to its rightful place over the south doorway.
"It`s in," said James,"and it fits." Just a few words and such a long story.
#ruins #castleruins #stonemasonry #greyhairs #triumph #bigjob #castlesofinstagram
The final pieces of the complex jigsaw of Lowther Castle and the consolidation of the ruin are falling into place. (Not falling exactly but being positioned with great care and skill by James Lightfoot and his fellow stonemasons.) Pictured, a steel being inserted to support the pinnacle, which is a huge upturned V of stone that will soon be returned to its rightful place over the south doorway.
"It`s in," said James,"and it fits." Just a few words and such a long story.
#ruins #castleruins #stonemasonry #greyhairs #triumph #bigjob #castlesofinstagram