There has been a castle at Lowther in Cumbria since the 12th century and the surviving structure was completed in 1812. The Lowther family left the castle in 1936 and removed the roofs and floors soon after. During World War II the site was used by the army for tank training. Seventy years later, the castle ruins were at risk of collapse and the extensive stables derelict. The 130-acres of abandoned, seventeenth century gardens set within a 3,000-acre medieval deer park and 75,000 acre agricultural estate, were overgrown but contained hidden traces of past grandeur.

In 2007, a master plan was developed to sensitively transition the historic ruins, landscape and gardens into a major new visitor attraction that contributes to the local rural economy. Following successful grant applications to the Heritage Lottery and European Regional Development funds, the implementation of the master plan commenced in 2011-2013. The project opens the ruined castle, derelict stables and 130 acres of abandoned, seventeenth century gardens to the public for the first time. While working for Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Miriam Kelly was Project Architect for the project throughout the design and construction stages, and integral to the successful grant funding application. She led the design team from conceptual design through to completion, secured statutory consents within the Lake District National Park and administered the construction contract.

The project repaired and consolidated the Grade II* listed castle ruin and allowed it to be removed from the English Heritage Buildings at Risk Register. Loose and fallen stones were carefully removed from the collapsing structure, meticulously catalogued and reinstalled. The ruined wall-heads were consolidated using a “rough-racking” method to prevent further collapse, while allowing shallow-rooting plants to colonize and create a soft, naturalistic appearance. Rusting iron cramps were removed from stone pinnacles and spires, and unstable wall panels secured using structural anchors. Care was taken to retain historic features such as original fireplaces and carved stones. Original oak strappings which pattern the walls were replaced where necessary with hand-split slate to echo the original silver-grey striations through the rubble stone interior. The overall design intent for the castle was to consolidate the castle’s romantic silhouette and richly textured interior, creating spectacular walled garden spaces safe for visitors to wander and explore as the focus of the wider garden experience.

Landscape Designer, Dan Pearson’s vision for Lowther Castle took inspiration from the Gardens of Ninfa near Rome and the abiding romantic archetype of Gothic ruins reclaimed by nature. Climbing roses and clematis are woven through the castle ruins with a textured palette of ground cover plants in the shade of the walls. A parterre garden of muted grasses and perennials creates a magical space in front of the castle.