Lowther Castle and Gardens near Penrith is the ultimate destination for a family day out. It effortlessly combines fascinating history, a stunning Cumbrian landscape, and an incredible adventure playground for children. Best of all, the entire site is completely dog-friendly, ensuring that every member of the family can join in the adventure.

Last year I took “My cumbria” card which allows to have discounts on some activities in Cumbria. It was while looking at their website to see what we could visit that I discovered Lowther Castle. We decided to visit this area in mid-June because that weekend, the castle hosted a craft market in its main courtyard. There were about twenty exhibitors that day who came from Cumbria. After taking a tour of the market and buying some handmade soaps, we went to visit the castle.

Find more information about my Cumbria card here.

Lowther Castle, located next to Penrith, was built in the 17th century by John Lowther, 1st Viscount of Lonsdale and it was in the 19th century that the castle took its current form after some reconstructions. The castle remained in the Lowther family until 1937 and then became a military base during the Second World War. The castle was returned to the family Lowther in 1954 but unfortunately they could not maintain it for lack of money and decided to remove the roof in 1957 not to pay tax.

Lowther Castle is a castle in ruins but is still impressive and was elected “Large Visitor Attraction of the Year 2018” by Cumbria tourism.

The visit of the castle begins with an indoor exhibition on the history of the castle, the former owners, as well as renovations that have been made in the last few years. Then the visit continues by wandering in the ruins of the castle which opens onto a huge garden. It consists of a meadow, several gardens with various themes and is surrounded by a small forest. There is also a playground for the children at the end of the garden.

It takes 2-3 hours minimum to fully visit the castle and its garden. I loved this place. I did not know that the castle had no roof before visiting it and it was a small surprise. Nevertheless, it is very interesting to visit. The garden is also very pleasant to walk around, and it is a perfect place for children. It was a beautiful discovery.

---

---

Final Thoughts

Join the Conversation

Have you visited Lowther Castle? 

Share your thoughts: Don’t hesitate to tell us what you think by leaving us a comment below!

Stay Updated

If you enjoyed this adventure, consider subscribing below to our newsletter for more family and dog-friendly adventures in the Cumbria and the United Kingdom.