Lowther Castle is one of our favourite places. The ‘lost castle’ play area is a huge wooden castle with lots of slides, walkways, obstacle courses, swings, and zip wires, all hidden in the woods. There’s a large area just for the younger kids too, although they can go all over, with a sandpit, tunnels and lots of small swings and slides.
It’s so quiet on weekdays during term time, we have met up with other home educating families and had the whole play area to ourselves! But it does get busy during the weekends and school holidays.
There’s a cafe and toilets near the castle as you enter. They’ll give you a gorgeous map when you pay admission. I recommend walking out through the castle, up into the trees at the left to get to the rope swings. Then straight across the grass to the rose garden and waterfall pond. Follow that through to the woods, where you’ll find the wooden obstacle course, some toilets and a little cafe that’s open when it’s busy. Keep going through the woods and you’ll find the lost castle play area. After a picnic and a lot of playing, on the way back, step out of the trees to your left and you’ll see a gorgeous view. Finally walk through the maze like Japanese gardens and back through the castle to the car park.
There’s plenty for a full day out with the kids! If you are travelling to Cumbria I highly recommend a visit. It’s not far from the M6, near Penrith.
Lowther Castle also allows free entry for Historic House members (and it’s one of the main reasons we joined!).
Practicalities
- Parking: Lowther Car Park charges £3 for parking, but is free for Historic Houses members.