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Visiting the garden at Sizergh

Family exploring the gardens in spring at Sizergh Castle, Cumbria
Enjoy a springtime stroll in the garden at Sizergh | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Complex and varied, the garden areas at Sizergh are interlinked and together tell the story of this family garden which has developed over 800 years. Explore the Rock Garden, Stumpery and Orchard: home to four national collections of hardy ferns, plus the Dutch Garden, Kitchen Garden and herbaceous border.

Spring in the garden

Video guides to the garden

Things to see in the garden

View of the house from the Rock Garden in spring at Sizergh, Cumbria
View of the house from the Rock Garden in spring | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor
A view from under the blossom tree of a couple relaxing on a bench by the Mirror Lake at Sizergh, Cumbria
Take in the changing seasons next to the Mirror Lake | © National Trust Images/McCoy Wynne

Cecilia’s ramp

We’re proud of the work we do towards improving access for all at Sizergh – last March, the Holeslack Accessible Trail launched. Now, we’re turning our attention to the garden, and plans to reopen an early 19th century access ramp, known as Cecilia’s ramp. Cecilia Strickland suffered from rheumatism, and had to make use of a very early model of a wheelchair. With small wheels attached to a simple armed chair, she referred to her aid as a ‘chariot’, and arranged to have a ramp built into the grounds to allow her to continue accessing the gardens. Following Cecilia’s death in 1814, the ramp became a flowerbed, and now our plan is to reinstate it. If you’d like to hear more about the project, or you’re interested in supporting it, please get in touch at sizergh@nationaltrust.org.uk, or contact Dan Taylor on 07789 744842.

Children exploring the spring trail in the gardens at Sizergh, Cumbria

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Find out when Sizergh is open, how to get here, things to see and do and more

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