Lowther Castle & Gardens — Attraction in Lowther

Lowther Castle

Yesterday we spent the day exploring Lowther Castle, one of the many treasures accessible with our Historic Houses membership. The timing could not have been better: a crisp, bright autumn day, with golden leaves scattered across the grounds and cool air that made walking a pleasure. From certain angles, the castle’s towering walls and turrets look every inch the grand stately home they once were, yet step closer, and you realise it is now only a shell of its former self, a romantic ruin draped in history.

Inside, the exhibition rooms bring the past vividly to life. The castle itself was built between 1806 and 1814, though the Lowther family’s story stretches much further back. Their first settlement here dates to 1120, when Dolfin de Lowther, descended from Viking conquerors, established his home on this site. The exhibition traces centuries of family history, filled with tales of their horses, sporting triumphs, lavish lifestyles, and eventual decline. Paintings line the walls, offering glimpses of life in the grand rooms before the castle was abandoned. A highlight is the treasury room, where artefacts are beautifully displayed, each with its own story, making it easy to imagine the grandeur and extravagance that once filled these walls.

The grounds are vast, and it would be easy to spend an entire day wandering them. With a map in hand, visitors can hunt for landmarks scattered across the estate: summerhouses tucked into corners, the whimsical “Lost Castle” play area, Roman-style pillars, and even a Roman bath. One of the most atmospheric moments was standing within the ruined walls themselves, where nature has claimed its space, trees and plants weaving through empty windows and archways. Discreet information boards are dotted around, guiding the imagination to reconstruct what once stood there, including the imposing sweep of the grand staircase.

Restoration work is also underway. Areas of the old chapel and orangery are currently shrouded in scaffolding, with craftsmen carefully piecing together the ruins. It’s easy to picture how magnificent they will look once completed, offering yet another reason to return.

No visit would be complete without a pause in the castle café, where the smell of fresh coffee and the sight of tempting cakes made for a welcome end to our walk. Prices were fair, portions generous, and judging by the steady stream of walkers, many accompanied by dogs, it’s clearly a favourite stop for both tourists and locals.

At £15 entry for non-members, plus £2 to park, it may feel a little on the expensive side. But with so much to explore, ruins, exhibitions, woodland trails, and wide open space, it’s a destination that rewards the time you give it. For history lovers, walkers, or simply those in search of a good slice of cake in a remarkable setting, Lowther Castle offers...

It was an amazing experience from start to finish. The sheer scale of the castle ruins and the beautifully restored gardens make it a truly captivating place to explore. Lowther Castle has a rich history, once the grand home of the Lowther family, who were prominent figures in British society for centuries. The castle itself, built in the early 19th century, was abandoned after World War II, leaving behind hauntingly beautiful ruins that tell the story of its past.

The gardens are just as impressive as the castle ruins. Spanning over 130 acres, they are a testament to the estate’s long history and the careful restoration that has brought them back to life. Walking through the different sections of the garden, from the Parterre to the woodlands, you can’t help but feel immersed in both nature and history. The blend of formal landscaping with wild, overgrown areas makes it a unique place to wander and explore.

One of the highlights for me was the ‘Lost Castle,’ an enormous adventure playground that’s perfect for families, although equally enjoyable for adults who want to tap into their inner child! It adds a fun, playful aspect to what is otherwise a peaceful, contemplative place.

The café was lovely as well, offering delicious local food with seating that overlooks the gardens – a great spot to relax and take in the surroundings after a day of exploring.

Lowther Castle & Gardens is not just a place to admire for its beauty but also for the history that runs through its walls and grounds. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or just looking for a peaceful day out in nature, this is a place that should be...

The grounds are beautiful but I feel a bit overpriced entry. They welcome dogs but not in the playpark (understandable) HOWEVER absolutely terrible facilities for a dog friendly establishment. No seating near or on surrounding boundaries to supervise your children when you have a dog. A simple fix the top entrance near the wooden covered seating could be converted to have seating for dog owners with children otherwise it's standing only, you are missing a big trick here to make money from refreshments a simple hut serving drinks in the suggested area is a win win! The seating nearest is 'into the woods' too far to supervise. There are virtually no bins on the grounds on walkways. I always pick up after my dog but do not enjoy carrying it on a vast distance to find a bin.

There was a lot of renovation work being completed on at least 2 parts of the facility which was disappointing.

Lovely to see unisex toilet facilities very clean but doors don't close to lock.

The cafe inside food is not very good my daughter ordered a chicken & avocado wrap barely any filling. The salad had whole peppercorns. My chicken & bacon salad bacon was inedible because it was rock hard, the dressing should not be applied by the kitchen staff but by the customer. £4 for a smallbowl of chips. Yikes! I'm not sure we will be back there's not enough to do for the entry price and dogs are welcome but facilities arent geared up to support them or...