Sizergh Castle - National Trust

About

House

This striking medieval manor stands proudly at the gateway to the Lake District, just 4 miles south of Kendal.

The house is still lived in by the Strickland family who built it over 750 years ago. Filled with thousands of items collected by 26 generations of the family the house certainly feels lived in, with centuries-old portraits and fine furniture sitting alongside modern family photographs.

The exceptional wood panelling throughout culminates in the Inlaid Chamber – returned here in 1999 from the Victoria and Albert Museum – and is internationally recognised as one of the finest examples of Elizabethan craftsmanship in the world.

The iconic 14th century solar tower contains its original fireplaces, floors and windows. The 15th century Great Hall and other later additions contain English and French furniture, china, Jacobite relics and the family’s collection of Catholic items.

Gardens

Sizergh’s rich and beautiful gardens include a mirror lake, topiary yew trees, colourful herbaceous border, an orchard buzzing with bees, fruit wall and a superb limestone rock garden – the largest in the National Trust – which glows red and orange when the acers change colour in the autumn. The apple orchard is bursting with blossom in May, and you can sample fresh produce from the working kitchen garden in selected dishes in the café year round. The gardens house four National Collections of Hardy Ferns and keep an eye out for dragonflies, herons, a resident kingfisher and coots on the Dipping Pond in summer. Their timeless atmosphere make them the perfect place to relax, whatever the season.

Woodland and estate

The 647-hectare (1,600-acre) estate includes wetland, limestone pasture, orchards and semi-natural woodland and is home to a wide variety of wildlife and flowers. Fritillary butterflies, bats, birds of prey and all coexist throughout the year. A children’s wild play trail is housed in the woodland not far from the car park and a network of footpaths take you to Helsington Church, Sizergh Fell and through Brigsteer Woods. The bird hide at Park End Moss allows wildlife lovers to watch the comings and goings across the wetland uninterrupted. Please remember to keep dogs on a lead at all times when walking through the estate.

 

Café and shop

Contemporary licensed café serving a selection of hot and cold drinks, meals and snacks. Shop selling local products, home accessories, gifts, toys and plants.

Ground floor of the house, shop and most of the garden are wheelchair accessible. The gardens are mainly gravel paths so pram friendly and there is a recommended route path. Wheelchair and powered mobility vehicle are available to hire free of charge from Visitor Reception. Braille guide and handling items available in the house. Picnic areas in the car park and gardens. Children's quiz sheets in house. Sorry no backpacks, prams or baby carriers in the house. Groups and coaches accepted with advanced booking via email sizergh@nationaltrust.org.uk.

The garden plant donation stalls offer an opportunity to take a memento home including vegetable seedlings, plants and surplus produce.