Last week I met one of my very best friends who was over from America at Lowther Castle, near Penrith. They were having a large family gathering in the Lakes for the week and I went up and met them for the day. Â We were blessed with a sunny day, in a week that had been mostly rain showers and had a wonderful 5 hours all together running around the stunning grounds.
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This was not my first visit to Lowther Castle, I had visited at a similar time of the year in 2016 also with a large group, and because of how successful that visit was (you can read my review here) I suggested we all meet there. Recommending a place for 12 people to meet up is always a little worrying as you worry that people may not enjoy themselves as much as you did, but I need not have worried. Â Everyone had a great day and some of the kids even decided it had been their favourite day of the weeks holiday.
Lowther Castle opens at 10am and closes at 5pm (April to September) and only closes an hour early the rest of the year. It’s £9 for an adult, £8 for concessions and £7 for kids with Under 3’s going free. There is also a family ticket option and it’s worth knowing that it’s 10% cheaper to book online.
The drive round to the Castle can be a little confusing but keep faith with the postcode and you’ll reach the right place. Â The free car park has a lot of space but beware of leaving a picnic in the car as it is a long way back from the Lost Castle if you decide to walk back for it (we did!).
The main event for kids at Lowther Castle is the Lost Castle, a huge adventure playground to rival some of the best in the Country.  It’s hidden in the trees right at the end of the gardens and has something for kids of all ages.  We had children with us from 2 – 12 and there really was something for all of them, from zip wires and high slides to swings and slides perfect for toddlers.
Since we visited last year the Into the Woods Cafe and toilets have opened right next door to the Lost Castle which makes for a handy place to buy coffee even if you have taken a picnic to eat at one of the many picnic tables. If you haven’t taken food it serves soup, sandwiches, snacks and ice cream too.
A nice addition for this year during the Summer holidays has been the Bear Hunt. The map is it has to be said a little confusing and we didn’t manage to find all of the bears, but the little stamp you use to stamp your paper when you find a bear was a nice touch. Â It kept the kids moving through the gardens too which given the size of them is a good thing.
We could easily have spent most of the day in the first part of the gardens with the rope swings such is the popularity of these with my three. The only downside was that they couldn’t get themselves on and off them so we could catch up and put the world to rights.
My favourite thing about Lowther Castle is that whilst with kids you are continually moving towards the Lost Castle there is so much to see and do on the way. Â There are ponds and hills and secret garden spaces. There are views and vistas to die for and on a day like we visited there are plenty of places to stop and take photos!
We spent 5 hours happily making our way around the gardens at all times with a view of the stunning Castle in the background. Right at the end of the day we took a wander through the new exhibition which answered a lot of the questions we had asked each other all day, such as who owned the Castle, when was it built, why did it fall into disrepair and who decided to remove the Castle roof. The kids even allowed us to soend slightly longer in the exhibition than I would have expected and we were only dragged out to find the ‘prize’ for completing the bear hunt. A well earned badge!
We finished the day with a brief sit in the beautiful courtyard. A perfect place for a coffee and an ice cream.
Thank you Lowther Castle for inviting us and for a wonderful day out.
Karen Beddow founded Mini Travellers in 2014 while doing what she loves most...going on holiday!
Mini Travellers is for parents looking for holiday ideas, destination reviews, days out and things to do with the kids. We also have family travel tips, activity ideas and all other things family holiday related. Take a look at some of our latest reviews for holidays and day trips in the UK.
This sounds like an amazing place to visit. I really must look into going for a visit.
We love a castle – and that castle looks incredible! Too far for us sadly but we’ll go if we’re ever up that way x
What an epic looking play park!
I love a good castle and I’m not sure I knew Lowther castle even existed. It looks really stunning and there’s so much for kids to do. I think we’ll definitely have to pay a trip there one day soon!
This places looks beautiful, the playground would be right up my little ones ally. #MondayEscapes
This sounds gorgeous. I love the idea of wandering towards the Lost Castle playground, with things to see and do along the way. We’re so lucky here in the UK, with places like this, aren’t we? #MondayEscapes
Oh this looks fabulous – we love places like that. Shame it’s such a long way from Devon! #MondayEscapes
What a brilliant place for an outdoors day out with kids. The play equipment looks wonderful. I love those toddler zip wires!
It looks ike such a fab day Karen, I love places with play areas but also open space for kids to run x
Lowther Castle looks amazing! Love the idea of the Lost Castle, my son would love that. We’re planning another trip to the Lakes next year so will have to check it out. #MondayEscapes
Seeing the pictures, I think you give time to your family. I want to give my family time, but I can not spend a lot of time in working pressure. After the article, it seems that at least one day a week, everyone will enjoy you as a family.
Thanks.