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, extensive gardens, an adventure playground, and dining options.
Opening Times
The castle ruins and gardens are open daily all year round, except on Christmas Day. The opening hours are:
- Summer: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Winter: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Last entry to the gardens is one hour before closing.
Dining Options
- Main Café: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM in summer and 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM in winter. Last hot food orders are taken at 3:30 PM in summer and 3:00 PM in winter.
- Into the Woods: Open during school holidays and summer weekends from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM in summer and 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM in winter.
Admission Prices
- Adult: £15.00
- Child (3-15 years): £10.00
- Family Ticket (2 adults & up to 3 children): £45.00
- Family Ticket (1 adult & up to 4 children): £45.00
- Under 3 years: Free
- Carer: Free (proof required)
Special offers are available for members of Historic Houses, English Heritage, CSSC, Gardeners’ World, and My Cumbria cardholders.
Annual Pass
Annual passes are available for £48.00 for adults and £38.00 for children (3-15 years). Benefits include unlimited entry, free parking, and discounts in the café and shop.
Additional Information
- Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads. They are not allowed in the adventure playground.
- Parking is available for £2.00 per day, with free parking for adult annual passholders.
- Smoking and vaping are not permitted on the premises.
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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