Lowther Castle near Penrith grows a garden from a romantic ruin

Some places are beautiful because they are perfect. Lowther Castle is beautiful for the opposite reason. Its grand facade stands open to the sky, and around it a garden is slowly being coaxed back to life, making it one of the most atmospheric days out in Cumbria.

The castle sits on the Lowther estate near Penrith, on the eastern edge of the Lake District. Country Life has described its gardens as spectacular and historic, rising from one of Britain's most evocative ruins, and it is hard to disagree when you walk through the empty arches.

The modern revival of the gardens has been shaped by the designer Dan Pearson, whose studio has worked on the project. Rather than recreating a lost Victorian scheme, the approach embraces the romance of the ruin, with planting that softens the stone and draws visitors from one garden room to the next.

One of the highlights is a new rose garden designed by Pearson and completed in autumn 2020. It has quickly become one of the most photographed corners of the estate, especially in early summer when the roses are at their best.

Day-to-day care of the gardens is in experienced hands. Gardens Illustrated reported the appointment of Andrea Brunsendorf as head gardener, with Dan Pearson continuing to work on the gardens alongside her.

This is very much a work in progress, and visitors are invited to watch it unfold. The Lake District National Park notes that work is underway to fully restore the gardens and estimates the project will take another 20 years. Each return visit reveals something new.

The Garden Museum, which has written about gardening amongst the ruins at Lowther, captures the appeal well: it is a place where history, decay and fresh growth sit side by side, and where the story is still being written.

Lowther Castle and Gardens is open to visitors, and the best way to plan a trip, check seasonal events and buy tickets is through the official Lowther Castle website before setting off.