Wray Castle
The imposing house in the Gothic form of a medieval castle, stands prominently in an elevated position above the lake. The vast building includes castellated towers, arrow slits, ruined battlements and an impressive porte-cochere.
Between March and October, you can visit the castle by boat from Ambleside and Brockhole Visitor Centre.
The house was built in 1840 by a retired surgeon from Liverpool who designed the house in the style of a grand neo-gothic castle. Upon his death, the castle was passed down until it and the land around it, were saved from development by the creation of the National Trust. The vicar in the neighbouring church, also built by the same surgeon, was one of the founding members of the National Trust and some say this castle is one of the reason the trust was set up.
The castle also had many famous residents including author Beatrix Potter and her family, who frequently holidayed here as a child. She enjoyed her time here so much that she later purchased the famous Hill Top Farm just up the road. The castle and land since then, have had many purposes including offices for the Freshwater Biological Association and a training college for the Merchant Navy.
The castle is now a popular visitor attraction with many visiting its rooms and grounds on the edge of Lake Windermere.
Nearby zip world locations
Windermere
1 mile away
Manchester
66 miles away
Betws-y-Coed
96 miles away
Penrhyn Quarry
97 miles away
Llechwedd
104 miles away
Tower Colliery
186 miles away
London
233 miles away
