Lowther Castle & Gardens
The spectacular shell of one of England's grandest Gothic mansions.
Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2HH
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Bike storage facilities
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Cafe / restaurant
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EV charging options
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Facilities for children
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Mostly wheelchair accessible
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Parkland / open spaces
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Pet friendly
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Picnic area
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Shop
Lowther Castle has enjoyed a rich and varied history. One of the finest Gothic buildings of the north west, the castle was completed in 1812.
For a century or more Lowther played host to the great and the good of the United Kingdom.
But in 1936, the turmoil of the 20th century took over. The castle was abandoned, then occupied by the army and finally in 1957 partly demolished.
Today Lowther Castle is once again in the pink. Rescued from wilderness, the castle ruins have been planted and the gardens house ventures old and new. Ancient borders jostle with new designs.
Ancient woodlands house one of the UK’s largest adventure playgrounds. In the courtyard, there is a fabulous café and shop. For young and old alike, Lowther Castle is a wonderful place to visit.
There is a remarkable story here and it is set in one of England’s most dramatic landscapes.
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
Lowther Castle & Gardens is a visitor attraction located in the Lake District, offering a variety of experiences including castle ruins, gardens, an adventure playground, and more.
Opening Times
The castle ruins and gardens are open daily:
- Winter: 10:00am to 4:00pm
- Summer: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Last entry to the gardens is one hour before closing.
The café operates:
- Summer: 10:00am to 5:00pm (last hot food orders at 3:30pm)
- Winter: 10:00am to 4:00pm (last hot food orders at 3:00pm)
The "into the woods" food outlet is open during school holidays and summer weekends:
- Summer: 11:00am to 4:00pm
- Winter: 11:00am to 3:00pm
Cycle-hire is available:
- Summer: 10:00am to 5:00pm
- Winter: 10:00am to 4:00pm
Last hire is two hours before closing.
Additional Information
From 2nd February 2026, the café will be temporarily relocated to the Sculpture Gallery for approximately six weeks for renovations.
Annual passes are available, offering unlimited entry, discounts, and other benefits. Prices are:
- Adult: £48.00
- Child (3-15 years): £38.00
Discounts are available for purchasing multiple passes.
Historic Houses members visit the gardens for free.
Adult – £15
Child – £10
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children, or 1 adult up to 4 children) – £45
Car parking – £2
Getting here
Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2HH
From M6 junction 39 (going north) or junction 40 (coming south), take the A6. Lowther Castle is signposted in both directions.
The closest train station is Penrith which is on the main west coast line between London Euston & Glasgow. By train, 1hr 30 min from Edinburgh, 3 hours from London.
Lowther Castle is approximately 6 miles from the train station by taxi.
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