£9m plan to reopen castle

9:49am Wednesday 3rd December 2008

LOWTHER Castle will open to the public for the first time in 70 years thanks to a £9million investment from the Government.

In an attempt to turn Lowther Castle and Gardens into a major tourist attraction, the Northwest Regional Development Fund has invested £7million into the scheme with a further £2million coming from the European Regional Development Fund.

The project will create 28 new jobs and generate up to £10.4 million for the Cumbrian economy.

This investment will allow the Lowther Castle and Gardens Trust to open the site to the public and transform the remains of the Gothic Castle, its stables and more than 20 hidden gardens.

Tourists will be able to enjoy the beautiful limestone ridge with views of the northern mountains of the Lake District, 121 acres of abandoned historic gardens, the newly-restored East Sculpture Gallery and a visitor centre.

Children will be able to enjoy an adventure playground, a learning project in the woods and a dual-purpose education and event room on the first floor of the stables above the Coach House.

Stephen Broomhead, NWDA Chief Executive, said that by 2012 the scheme was expected to attract more than 160,000 visitors each year, placing it in the top tier of Cumbrian tourist attractions.

“As well as being vital in encouraging visitors to stay longer in the area and venture outside the traditional honeypot areas, the scheme will also support jobs, provide a valuable educational resource and, importantly, generate a significant amount for the sub-regional economy,” he said.

“Lowther Castle is of national significance, and this investment will ensure we attract new visitors to the Eden Valley, extending the economic benefits of tourism across Cumbria,” said David Malpass, NWDA Director of European Programme.

The trust is also seeking Heritage Lottery funding of just under £6 million.