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CAFÉ TALK
June 16th, 2026
10:00am for 10:15am
Sculpture Gallery

ENGLAND’S LAST GOLDEN EAGLE with Bill Kenmir

Bill Kenmir is the Conservation Manager at Cumbria Connect – a collaboration of farmers, landowners and conservationists, of which the Lowther Estate is one – and one of the largest nature recovery programmes in the UK.

Bill will talk about the last Gold Eagle in England which nested in the Haweswater Valley. He will recount his time guarding the nest from egg collectors and, through his personal memories and reflections, explore what the loss of an iconic bird tells us about the changing landscape. Landscape-scale nature restoration is essential, he will argue, if species like the Golden Eagle are to return. A fascinating insight into the natural world around us.

To book your free place, please click here.

WILDFLOWERS & MORE with Rachel Borrows

As the resident Horticultural Ecologist, Rachel is passionate about wildflowers.

In this talk, visitors will hear about the wildflower meadow areas within the gardens at Lowther. She will identify a range of wildflowers and pollinators that thrive in the local ecosystem and explain how these areas are being managed to increase biodiversity and provide seasonal interest for visitors.

Free with admission to the Castle & Gardens.

To book your place, please click here.

TALKING ROSES with members of the Garden Team

Since it was officially launced in 2019, the Rose Garden has become one of the most popular areas in the gardens generally. This talk – guided by members of the gardening team – will run through the maintenance required to keep 2,000-plus David Austin roses looking their best in the Cumbrian climate.  Visitors will be talked through the month-by-month job list, including pruning, feeding, mulching and deadheading. They will learn to identify some of the varieties that perform best at Lowther.

Free with admission to the Castle & Gardens.

To book your place, please click here.

MIGHTY PERENNIAL PARTERRE STARS with Kate Harrison

The Parterre on the south side of the castle ruin takes the place of what were pure lawns. Dan Pearson created the area in a woolly style to echo the sense of ruin in the castle itself. Gardener Kate Harrison will take visitors on a journey round the late-season perennial stalwarts and highlight how the floral season is extended by dipping into a prairie-style plant palette. Kate will also cover the promotion of soil health in this garden.

Free with admission to the Castle & Gardens.

To book your place, please click here.

CAFÉ TALK
September 22nd, 2026
10:00am for 10:15am
Sculpture Gallery

BEEKEEPING & BEES with Josh Frazer

In 2019, Jim Lowther began to turn his passion for bees into a business. The Lake District Honey Co. is now an established brand, Jim’s bees foraging on the fells, heather and blossom across the Lowther Estate.

Head Beekeeper Josh Frazer, who manages the company, will draw on a decade of his commercial beekeeping experience to share insights into life inside the hive and the craft of producing premium honey. Josh will be joined by his apprentice Ellie Craig, who offers a fresh perspective on learning the art of beekeeping.

To book your free place, please click here.

GARDEN TALK
October 15th, 2026
2:00-2:30pm
Meeting point: Heronry

EVERYTHING BENJES with Andrew Sagar

As part of the initiative within the gardens to adopt fully sustainable practices, the gardening team has created a Benjes hedge. Senior Gardner Andrew Sagar will talk visitors through the construction of the Benjes hedge, also known as a ‘dead hedge’. It is an excellent example of how to recycle waste materials whilst also providing invaluable habitats for garden wildlife.

Free with admission to the Castle & Gardens.

To book your place, please click here.