
Sizergh's collections
Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Sizergh on the National Trust Collections website.
Sizergh Castle has been home to the Strickland family for 800 years. Unearth their story through Sizergh’s rare Elizabethan artistry and diverse collection of over 2,400 objects.
The house is now closed until March, but there's lots of exciting work going on behind the scenes. Keep your eyes peeled in the new year for information about an exciting programme of Conservation in Action events.
The Inlaid Chamber features some of the finest-quality, and most visually striking, Elizabethan joinery to survive in the north of England. A rare masterpiece of heraldic stained-glass windows, ornate plasterwork and elaborate inlaid panelling, it was a sign of the political aspirations and wealth of Sizergh’s original Tudor owners.
The Library houses a set of rare wall hangings depicting The Meeting of Antony and Cleopatra – based on the famous stories of Plutarch, and later, Shakespeare. They are the largest surviving examples from this series in the world. In 2018, we were successful in our bid to fund the tapestry considered to be in most urgent need, The Meeting of Antony and Cleopatra. The funding was allocated, with a gift from a will providing the funding to kick off the project.
The tapestry was away for two years, undergoing extensive restoration including cleaning, restitching, relining, and specialist treatment to restore its colour. It returned to Sizergh in 2022, and now hangs in pride of place in the Library.
None of this work would have been possible without a generous gift in will, which provided funding for the early stages of the restoration project. We are also hugely grateful to the Wolfson Foundation, who kindly supported the later stages which saw the project completed.
Each of the 2,400 items that makes up the collection at Sizergh gives a glimpse back in time, telling the story of the family’s faith, tastes and even royal connections.
You’ll come across many generations of family portraits as you explore the property. Cumbrian-born George Romney, one of the most fashionable artists of his day, painted some of them. You can also get up close to rare Jacobite relics and the Catholic Royal Stuart portrait collection, which hangs in the family dining room.
With items varying from Australian boomerangs, shields and spears to a lock of King James II’s hair, discover the weird and wonderful items at Sizergh. Here are some favourites:
Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Sizergh on the National Trust Collections website.
Connect with nature in Sizergh’s woodland, wetland and farmland. Find out about the wildlife you can spot while exploring this 1,600-acre estate.
Feel inspired with a stroll through the gardens at Sizergh and find out what you’re likely to see growing here when you visit.
Can we tempt you to afternoon tea in the café, a new pair of gardening gloves from the shop or a pre-loved book during your visit to Sizergh?
Sizergh is a two pawprint rated place. Find out which areas of the estate you can explore with your dog.
Whether you’re after a wild play area to let little legs run off some steam, a peaceful garden for a pram-friendly walk, or a children’s trail through a house filled with treasures, there’s something for all ages at Sizergh.
Historic buildings are a treasure trove of stories, art and collections. Learn more about what makes these places so special and plan your visit.
Alongside its natural outdoor wonders the Lake District also has many inspiring houses and buildings to visit, from the impressive Allan Bank where Wordsworth once lived, to the former farmhouse of Beatrix Potter.
In collaboration with Findmypast, we've been exploring the 1921 Census of England and Wales. It's helped us get closer to the lives of people at Sizergh, where we've been able to look into the life of the Head Gardener, Sizergh absentee owners and stories of political dinner parties and fundraisers. Discover more about these stories at Sizergh, as well as research from nine other places in our care. By clicking this link, you’ll access a third-party website. Please see their privacy policy for how they handle your personal data.