02-08-2025
Ambleside's Wray Castle restoration under way
Work is under way to restore a Gothic Victorian castle with links to Beatrix Castle in Ambleside, Cumbria, was built in the 1840s and has been closed for conservation work to renovate the building and make it more resilient for the castle is due to reopen in 2027 in the hope of becoming a gallery and exhibition space housing the National Trust's Beatrix Potter watercolour collection in honour of the children's author holidaying there in Lee, general manager for the South Lakes National Trust, claimed the restoration was a "once-in-a-generation" opportunity.
Donated to the National Trust in 1929, it has been a visitor attraction since 2011 following periods of being used as a youth hostel, a base for the Freshwater Biological Association and a training college for Merchant Navy radio of the castle's 64 acres (25.8 hectares) of grounds on the west shore of Windermere remain open to the public.
The conservation work includes roof repairs, rewiring, fire protection upgrades and improvements to security and environmental restoration of the estate's Glasshouse is under way and the Footman's Lodge has already been renovated."This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to give Wray Castle the care and attention it deserves," Ms Lee said."While the castle building is closed, the wider estate remains open."
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