Lowther Castle & Gardens

About

A spectacular Gothic ruin set in 130 acres of ancient and romantic Gardens, award-winning Lowther Castle is one of the northwest's most spectacular visitor attractions. Its setting within the Lake District National Park is truly beautiful while the ruins, the gardens and the stories that lurk within are fascinating and original.

As recently as 1999, Lowther Castle was a wreck - the gardens were overgrown and lost to a commercial chicken farm; the castle, deroofed in 1957, was derelict. Today, thanks a tireless programme of fund-raising and investment and to the implementation of landscape designer Dan Pearson's visionary masterplan, the gardens are full of treasures. These include the Garden-in-the-Ruins, the Parterre, the Great Yew Avenue and the Western Terrace with views of the Lake District. The recently created Rose Garden - complete with reinstated fountain - has become a highly popular centrepoint.

In addition to all this, there is the lost castle - one of the UK's largest adventure playgrounds - built as an echo of the ruin itself. Zipwires, turrets, slides and sandpits cater for all ages.

Visitors interested in Lowther's history can find out more within the highly visual story of Lowther exhibition; while all visitors can enjoy delicious food in the café and Lowther bespoke gifts from the shop. Cycle hire is available from Arragons Cycle Hire who offer a range of all-terrain and electric bikes from a pick up point by the courtyard.

Dogs are welcome everywhere, except in the adventure playground and on the cake table.

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.