Lowther Castle and its Gardens have been closed for 70 years. The grounds were once opened to visitors in 1938 but after being used to test a secret tank weapon during the Second World War, the place was deliberately dismantled and abandoned and now stand inaccessible and buried in vegetation.
The Trustees of the Lowther Castle and Gardens Trust (Registered Charity No.1125075) plan to transform the imposing remains of the Gothic Castle, its massive stables and gardens into a destination that will attract new visitors to Cumbria, encourage existing visitors to stay longer, promote participation and learning and feed smaller attractions across the region.
The project will be phased. Read an interview with the architect, Geoff Rich, about starting work on site.
In contrast to many ruined sites, the Castle and its Gardens will not be sanitised or restored. Instead, the romantic decay of the Castle and its Gardens will be carefully preserved and, where possible enhanced. The visitor will be invited to explore and understand the layers that man and nature have imposed over centuries and to enjoy the beauty is inherent in the abandoned site. A route will be opened up to take the visitor from the oldest part of the castle, through the 19th century ruins and into the gardens. A scholar of Wordsworth (whose father was the Steward at Lowther) visited the gardens in 2008 and remarked "it is ironic that despite years of neglect, the site now better evokes the romantic ideal that inspired its construction than at any time in its history".
The gardens layout dates from the 17th Century but the present gardens are Edwardian and all lie buried under spruce and sycamore planted in the 1960's. There are over 20 different gardens at Lowther including a Japanese Garden, a Scented Garden, and an Iris Garden. Some gardens will be restored but visitors will also be able to see the remains of the Edwardian structures, lying derelict, covered in moss and lichen. Over 121 acres of abandoned gardens will be gradually revealed and renovated.
Exhibitions of the Lowther art and archive collections and new artworks will be in the Stable Courtyard and Sculpture Gallery.
Garden designer Dan Pearson's plan for the 'garden within the castle'.
The finished scheme will create a free to access visitor centre in the stable courtyard, which is next to and almost as large as the Castle. The visitor centre will offer shopping, eating, education and orientation facilities. The first floor of the stables will become holiday apartments.
A car park will serve the castle, grounds and parkland.
The Castle will be re-united with the land between the Castle and the River Lowther to create in phases 140 acres of parkland, paths and bridges, with access for all, and open another 360 acres of ancient woodland.
Stand in front of Lowther Castle and take a 360° look around.
The Sculpture Gallery, photographed almost 100 years ago and now, will once again become a gallery for art and exhibitions.
Much of the garden is heavily overgrown, but the Jubilee Summerhouse, one of 18 summerhouses, is much the same as it was in Victorian times (although it now has a tiled roof).
The 5th Earl's hot-house conservatory, to be a camellia gallery.
Go the Lowther Estate website for more about the history of the Lowther family (the Earls of Lonsdale), and the Lowther Estate.
