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Lowther Castle

Where do you go for a quart of milk? Just can't fathom living on such a large estate.

In 1939 or 1940 the castle was requisitioned for the war effort and used for tank development. It was returned to the family not before 1954. The family could not afford use or upkeep and offered to give it away to the National Trust and other institutions, however, in those depressed post-war years they did not find takers. In order not to have to pay taxes they stripped the castle and removed the roof.

James offered the Castle as a gift to three local authorities but all refused. At that time the only options for large country houses were to open them to the public or demolish them. He could not afford the former so he was forced to demolish the property. He left the shell of the castle intact as a silhouette

Update: In 2005 the estate formed an informal partnership with the Northwest Development Agency, English Heritage, Cumbria Vision and the Royal Horticultural Society to regenerate the site. The castle and 130 acres of grounds were transferred to a charity called the Lowther Castle and Gardens Trust in 2007 and the site opened to the public on 22 April 2011. 82060616

2019 RBC Solutions | Toronto, Canada | photographed: 1982 June