Lowther Castle & Gardens opened to the public in 2012 – comprising castle ruins, extensive gardens, woodland, ponds, a stylish café with indoor and outside dining options and a huge adventure playground – establishing itself as one of the most popular and unusual visitor attractions in the northwest. It is set in the Lake District National Park, a Unesco World Heritage site and sits on the dramatic Knipe Scar with far-reaching views over the river Lowther and the Lowther valley below.

Lowther Castle itself was first constructed in the early 19th century. For 130 years or so, the castle was a beacon of grandeur in the northwest – a place where the great and the good came to enjoy a remarkable art collection and fabled setting.

The highly visual Story of Lowther exhibition is a walk through 850 years of history from the Vikings and up to a 17th-century Vegetarian Viscount, to Wicked Jimmy and the flamboyant Yellow Earl, whose extravagance brought the family’s finances to its knees. The Exhibition also tells the extraordinary story of why the castle was deroofed, and how the gardens were rescued after having been destroyed by tanks in the second world war.

Once upon a time the castle had enough rooms to visit a new one every single day of the year. Outside, there are 130 acres of serene gardens to explore, and the illustrated souvenir map will guide you along the way. See the vast lawns give way to summerhouses and secret places, the Tapestry Garden and the Great Yew Avenue, the newly restored Rose Garden, and the Western Terrace with views of the Lake District.

There’s a 20-year plan to bring a contemporary layer of horticulture to these extensive ancient gardens, carefully crafted by Chelsea Gold winner Dan Pearson, with new gardens being launched each year.

For younger explorers - head to The Lost Castle adventure playground, hidden away in the woods, for hours of family fun. There are zip wires, swings, walkways, and slides for older children, plus a dedicated toddler area.

Head to The Lost Castle adventure playground, hidden away in the woods, for hours of family fun. There are zip wires, swings, walkways, and slides for older children, plus a dedicated toddler area.