Lowther Castle, Penrith, England

The site of Lowther Castle has been occupied since the 13th century. In 1720 Lowther Hall burnt down and was replaced in 1806 to 1811 with the present building.

In 1935 the family moved out because the upkeep of the building and grounds had become too expensive. They moved into Askham Hall, also in Cumbria, in the 1950s.

The gardens were developed during the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

In August 2007, following the steady decline of the site, the Lowther Castle and Gardens Trust was formed. They are heading a new project for the site. The Trust plans to consolidate the castle and grounds and use it for recreation, the arts and education. 

The following is from the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.  

HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT

Lowther was the seat of the Lowther family from the 12th until the mid 20th century. Hugh Lowther was granted a licence to enclose 200 acres of land (80 hectares) as a park in 1337. In 1682 Lowther village, which was situated between the main house and Lowther church, was purchased by Sir John Lowther and pulled down. The parkland was successively augmented and it reached its greatest size, when it covered more than 3000 acres (1200 hectares), under the fifth Earl of Lonsdale (1857-1944). The Castle and much of the park were used for training by the army in the Second World War and the Castle is currently (1997) maintained as a controlled ruin.