Wray Castle

Wray Castle, on Lake Windermere

Wray Castle

Where is it – England, North West England

Who looks after it –  National Trust 

What is it –  House 

When is it from – Victorian

Wray Castle is best approached by cycling, walking, ferry or a combination of all three; the journey to get there is probably the most exciting part of the visitor experience. Wray Castle is not a real castle, but an elaborate Gothic fake, built as a private home in 1840. It was built for Dr and Mrs James Dawson, using her inheritance from gin (so to speak). But, apparently, she hated it and refused to live there. Its one claim to fame is that it was once rented by Beatrix Potter’s parents for a family holiday in 1882. It was where she met Hardwicke Rawnsley, one of the founders of the National Trust – who now own the place. The castle is a lovely building, highly photogenic, in a wonderful location in its own grounds and able to be explored inside and out. It is ideal for small children and that is possibly what the Trust is aiming it at, because other than the cafe, there isn’t much else to detain you for very long.

 


Address

Low Wray, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0JA 

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