Visit a Castle in the Lake District

Possible Roman Foundations: There’s a possibility that the site of Muncaster Castle rests on Roman foundations. While much needs to be confirmed through excavation, the Romans were known to establish encampments (castra) in the area, and artifacts like coins have been found.

Land Grant and Early Owners: The exact origins are unclear, but some records suggest the land was first linked to the Pennington family as early as 1026. There’s documented evidence of the Pennington family owning the estate by 1208, when Alan de Penitone received a grant of the land.

Medieval Construction: The oldest parts of the current castle structure, including the Great Hall, date back to the 13th century.

A Pele Tower Rises: In the 14th century, a significant addition was made – a pele tower. These fortified structures were unique to the English-Scottish border region and provided crucial defense against raids. Interestingly, the pele tower at Muncaster Castle incorporates Roman masonry in its base, possibly from earlier Roman structures on the site.

Renovations and Refinements: Over the centuries, the castle transformed from a defensive structure to a more comfortable residence. The 18th and 19th centuries saw significant renovations undertaken by various Barons Muncaster.

Grand Designs: The 5th Baron Muncaster, for instance, carried out extensive work in the 18th century, both inside and out. This included planting many of the large hardwood trees that grace the grounds today and founding the library. His great-nephew, the 4th Lord Muncaster, continued the trend in the 19th century, hiring the architect Anthony Salvin for a major remodeling project.

Preserving the Legacy: In 1917, the line of direct heirs ended, but the estate remained with the family through a designated successor who took on the Pennington name. The castle is still a private residence, but it’s also open to the public for tours and events.

A Glimpse into History: Today, Muncaster Castle stands as a testament to its long history. Visitors can explore the different architectural styles reflecting various eras, see interesting family heirlooms, and even learn about the resident birds of prey at the Muncaster Castle Hawk and Owl Centre.

Land Grant: In the 1170s, King Henry II granted the land where Sizergh Castle stands to Gervase Deincourt.

Marriage and Name Change: Fast forward to 1239, when Elizabeth Deincourt, Gervase’s great-granddaughter and heiress, married Sir William de Strickland. Through this marriage, the Strickland family came to own the estate and Sizergh became its name. The name itself comes from Old Norse, meaning “dairy farm.”

Solar Tower Construction: The core of the castle we see today is a 14th-century solar tower, a building designed for a family’s living quarters.

Manor House and Elizabethan Additions: Over the centuries, the Stricklands expanded the castle. The impressive Great Hall was added in 1450, followed by a Tudor mansion built around the tower. The Elizabethan era saw further additions with two wings flanking a central courtyard.

National Events: The Stricklands were prominent figures, with one family member even carrying the English banner at the Battle of Agincourt (1415).

Financial Decline: The 17th century saw a decline in the Strickland family fortunes, partly due to their support of the Jacobite rebellions. This limited their ability to extensively renovate Sizergh. However, in a way, this financial constraint helped preserve the Elizabethan character of the castle.

Modernization and Gardens: Sir Gerald Strickland, who later became Lord Strickland of Sizergh, oversaw some changes in the early 1900s. This included updating the entrance and adding a famous rock garden to the extensive grounds.

National Trust Guardianship: In the 1930s, the estate was passed down to Mary Strickland and her husband. Eventually, in 1950, Lt. Cdr. Thomas Hornyold-Strickland, their grandson, gifted the entire estate, including the castle and its contents, to the National Trust. In 2017, the transfer of ownership was finally formalized.

Preserved Legacy: Sizergh Castle today remains a stunning example of an Elizabethan manor house, offering a glimpse into the Strickland family’s long history and architectural evolution. The National Trust continues to preserve the castle and its grounds for future generations.

Bonus Fact: Catherine Parr, the sixth wife of King Henry VIII, may have lived at Sizergh Castle after her first husband’s death, due to her familial connection to the Stricklands.

Stroll through the 1600-acre estate, with its ancient woodland trail, rock garden, orchard and herbaceous borders.

Wander round the medieval manor house and admire the art and artefacts collected by the family over hundreds of years.

And finish off with a visit to the gift shop to pick up a souvenir and a bite to eat in the contemporary café.

A Family Seat: The story starts in the 14th century when Sir Hugh de Lowther received a royal charter to enclose land by the River Lowther for a deer park. He built a motte-and-bailey fortification, a common defensive structure of the time.

Shifting Defenses: Later in the 14th century, the Lowthers replaced the motte-and-bailey with a pele tower, a more fortified structure designed to withstand attacks from Scottish raiders crossing the border. An additional tower was added in the 16th century.

A Grander Vision (17th Century): By the 17th century, the Lowther family’s fortunes grew, and Sir John Lowther decided to transform the existing structures into a grand Jacobean residence, a style popular during the reign of James I.

Devastating Blaze: In 1718, disaster struck when a fire ravaged the Jacobean residence, leaving much of it in ruins. The castle remained in this state for almost a century.

A New Visionary: The early 19th century saw the arrival of the 1st Earl of Lonsdale, William Lowther. He envisioned a grand revival for the estate.

Enter Robert Smirke: In 1806, William Lowther commissioned the renowned architect Robert Smirke (who would later design the British Museum) to create a new castle. Smirke incorporated the remaining ruins of the previous structures into the design, creating a unique blend of medieval and neo-gothic styles. The result was an impressive and imposing castle, often described as a “medieval fantasy” brought to life.

The Yellow Earl’s Drain: The castle reached its peak in the 19th century, but the 20th century brought decline. The 5th Earl of Lonsdale, nicknamed “The Yellow Earl” for his flamboyant taste, led a lavish lifestyle that drained the family fortune. Maintaining the grand castle became a burden.

War and Abandonment: During World War II, the castle was requisitioned by the military and used by a tank regiment. After the war, the contents were removed, and by 1957, the roof was dismantled to avoid further taxation. The castle became an empty shell.

A Monumental Shell: Today, Lowther Castle remains a roofless and ruined structure, a poignant reminder of the family’s past grandeur and eventual downfall. The grounds are open to the public and offer a glimpse into the castle’s former glory.

Preserving the Legacy: Efforts are underway to preserve the remaining structures and develop plans for the future of the estate.

The first castle in Kendal was actually an earthen motte-and-bailey structure called Castle Howe, located on the opposite side of the River Kent.

This early castle, likely built after the Norman Conquest, proved to be too cramped and strategically limited.

Around 1200, Gilbert fitz Roger fitz Reinfried, Sheriff of Lancaster, decided to build a new castle on a more defensible location.

This new castle, constructed from stone on a glacial hill (drumlin), became the permanent seat of power for the Barons of Kendal.

The castle served as the administrative centre for the Barony of Kendal for over 200 years.

The Parr family became the most well-known family associated with the castle, acquiring it through marriage in the 14th century.

Catherine Parr, the sixth and last wife of King Henry VIII, was a member of the Parr family, though she wouldn’t have lived in the castle itself as it was already in decline by her birth.

By the Tudor period, the castle began to fall out of use. Stone from the castle was even used for building projects in Kendal.

The death of the last Baron of Kendal in 1571 marked a turning point, and the castle gradually became a ruin.

In 1897, the town of Kendal purchased the castle grounds to preserve them for public enjoyment.

Today, the castle remains a popular tourist destination, offering stunning views and a glimpse into Cumbria’s history.

Victorian Fantasy (1840s): Unlike centuries-old fortifications, Wray Castle is a Victorian fantasy construction, built in the 1840s by James Dawson, a retired surgeon from Liverpool.

An Heiress and a Dentist: The funding came from Dawson’s wife, Margaret, who inherited wealth from her family’s business (spirit merchants!).

Mock Gothic Design: The castle wasn’t built for defence, but rather as a grand residence in the Gothic Revival style, complete with towers, pretend arrow slits, and even a portcullis.

Short Family History: The Dawsons didn’t hold the estate for long. After James Dawson’s death in 1875, it passed to his nephew.

Visionary Vicar: Edward Preston Rawnsley, the nephew who inherited the estate, became a key figure. In 1895, he co-founded the National Trust, a pioneering organization dedicated to preserving historic places and natural beauty.

Beatrix Potter: Interestingly, Rawnsley was vicar at Wray Church, located on the estate, and even met a young Beatrix Potter during her family’s stay at the castle in 1882.

Wray Castle’s Fate: The castle itself wasn’t included in the initial National Trust property, but it eventually came into their care in 1929, after passing through various hands.

Work in Progress: Unlike many National Trust properties with grand interiors and family history exhibits, Wray Castle presents a different experience. The upper floors are closed for now, and the focus is on the unique story of the building and the estate.

Public Enjoyment: The National Trust is still uncovering Wray Castle’s past and offers visitors a chance to explore the grounds, learn about the building’s history, and enjoy the beautiful setting on the shores of Windermere.

Explore the grounds: The grounds of Wray Castle are extensive and offer a variety of things to see and do.

Visit the castle: The ground floor of Wray Castle is open to the public and houses a photographic exhibition. The upper floors are currently closed to the public

Enjoy the views: Wray Castle is located on a hilltop and offers stunning views of Windermere and the surrounding countryside. There are several places where you can stop to take in the scenery, including the terrace and the roof of the castle.

Have a picnic: The grounds of Wray Castle are a great place to have a picnic. There are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the views, and there are also picnic benches available.

Go for a bike ride: The west shore path is a great place to go for a bike ride. It runs for several miles along the shore of Windermere and offers stunning views of the lake and the mountains.

Step back in time: Dalton Castle is a 14th-century peel tower, a fortified structure built for defense. It offers a glimpse into a bygone era and the architecture of the time.

Explore the tower: Unlike grand castles with multiple rooms, Dalton Castle is a relatively small structure. Owned by the National Trust, the castle has limited opening hours (Saturdays only from 2pm to 5pm) but free entry. Inside, you might see exhibits on local history or the building’s role as a courthouse and prison.

Learn about local history: Dalton Castle was originally built by the monks of Furness Abbey and played a role in the administration of the area. There might be exhibits that delve into this history during your visit.

See interesting artifacts: The National Trust has restored some armor on display that you might find interesting.