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Wray Castle
Parkland and castle on the west shore of Windermere.
Low Wray, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0JA
Important notice
The Castle is now closed for the season but the grounds, parkland and Joeys Cafe remain open all year round.
Opening times for 2 December 2023
Asset Opening time Castle Closed Grounds 08:00 - 20:00 Kitchen Court Café 10:00 - 16:00 MTWTFSS2728293012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031OpenPartially openClosedCafe
Dogs
Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds. Assistance dogs only in the castle.
Car park
Toilet
Level access to the castle. Blue Badge parking in the top car park. Easy access toilet near café. Braille & large print guides are available from house entrance. Please ask if you or one of your party would like to use this. Ear defenders are available if you'd like to use them.
Accessible route and/or map
Level access/terrain
Accessible toilet
Seating available
Designated parking
Steps/uneven terrain
Level access to food outlet
By road
Narrow roads in some places. Not recommended for motorhomes. Not suitable for coaches - maximum size minibus 16 seater. From the south and Bowness (via Ferry) take the B5285 through Hawkshead where this becomes the B5286. Continue on this road for 2.5 miles, then take the right hand turn to Wray Castle. From the north and Ambleside, take the A593 to Clappersgate, then take the B5286 signed to Hawkshead. After 2.5 miles take the left turn, to Wray Castle. Plan your car-free visit with Good Journey
Parking: Pay and display (non-members) Members - please scan your card for free parking. Thank you.
Sat Nav: Post code LA22 0JA
On foot
From the south, follow the lakeshore track from Ferry Head (4 miles). From the north, off road paths exist for the majority of the route, signed Bowness via Ferry, look out for the blue signs. From Hawkshead village, follow bridleway (3 miles).
By train
The nearest train station is Windermere, see National Rail to plan your journey Plan your car-free visit with Good Journey
By bus
Year-round, regular buses from Ambleside and Hawkshead (10 mins), Windermere and Coniston (30 mins) stop nearby. It’s then a 20-minute, off-road stroll to the Castle. Get the 505 bus: Kendal to Coniston route. Check timetables and routes at Stagecoach Plan your car-free visit with Good Journey
By bicycle
Off road cycle paths from Ambleside, signed Bowness via Ferry, and south of the castle, along the west shore track between Claife Viewing Station and Wray, on the west shore of Windermere. Look out for the blue signs. National route 6 passes nearby. Bike racks at Wray castle and a fitted bike pump should you find yourself with a flat tyre. Plan your car-free visit with Good Journey
By ferry
The Windermere car ferry runs a daily limited service. Please check before travelling. Once getting off the ferry, it is a 4 mile walk or cycle along the Windermere west shore path to Wray Castle or a 6 mile drive, via Hawkshead. WINDERMERE LAKE CRUISE BOAT Catch the Green Cruise from Waterhead Pier (Ambleside) to Wray Castle with Windermere Lake Cruises. See their website for times and further information www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk Plan your car-free visit with Good Journey
Car-Free
Travel the green way and help us preserve this amazing place. Plan your car-free visit with Good Journey
Planning your visit
Article
Visiting Wray Castle with your dog
Wray Castle is a two pawprint rated place. Find out which areas of the estate you can explore with your dog.
Highlights
Exhibition
19th century local photography exhibition on the ground floor of the castle. Free to enter.
Lakeshore Access
Shingle beach for easy access to England's largest lake.
Parkland & Walking Trails
Explore the lakeshore and parkland on three waymarked trails, starting at the front of the castle.
Joey's Café (Independently Run)
Independent café serving baked goods, savoury snacks, locally roasted coffee, teas and hot chocolate.
Things to see and do
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Things to see and do inside Wray Castle
Discover Wray's church-like interiors and visit the photography exhibition.
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Family-friendly things to do at Wray Castle
Discover what family-friendly activities are on offer at Wray Castle this Autumn, from outdoor walks and lakeside views to a scenic boat cruise across Windermere.
Top trails
Trail
Wray Castle to Blelham Tarn circular walk
Discover fascinating stories from the past and enjoy some great views on a circular walk from Wray Castle to Blelham Tarn that also takes in the Windermere shoreline.
Trail
Wray Castle to Latterbarrow circular walk
Starting and finishing at Wray Castle, this route through fields and woodland offers rewarding Lakes views without the big fell climb.
Eating
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Eating at Wray Castle
Need some refreshment during your visit to Wray Castle? Our partners at Joey's Café offer a wide range of snacks and drinks to help you refuel before or after your adventures.
Places to stay
Low Wray Campsite
Lakeside or mountain-view pitches for tents and campervans, along with pre-pitched tents and pods, on Windermere, England’s biggest lake.
The Summer House
A cosy house in the old kitchen garden of Wray Castle with views of stunning scenery all around.
Trees
A 1930s log and stone cabin high above Lake Windermere with a sun terrace and great views.
Silverthwaite
An inspiring spot looking out over Langdale Valley with Arts and Crafts influenced detail inside.
High Strawberry Gardens
This comfortable lakeside retreat on the west shore of Windermere has its own jetty directly outside the cottage.
Low Strawberry Gardens
A two-bedroom lakeside retreat on the shores of Windermere with its own jetty.
Silverthwaite
An inspiring spot looking out over Langdale Valley with Arts and Crafts influenced detail inside.
Rose Castle Cottage
A two-bedroom cottage just above Tarn Hows with heaps of character in the heart of the Lakes.
About Wray Castle
180 years ago a surgeon and an heiress from Liverpool began building a castle that would only ever have to defend itself from the Cumbrian weather.
With all the furniture and artwork long gone and the last family moving out in the 1920s, the castle has had mixed uses and opened to visitors in 2011.
The castle has church-like interiors and panoramic Lake District views.
Note: The ground floor rooms are open. Due to damage caused by Storm Arwen the play trail will remain closed until further notice. The Peter Rabbit adventure rooms are permanently closed.
History
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History of Wray Castle
Discover the history of the Wray Castle estate and the fascinating link that Hardwicke Rawnsley, one of the National Trust's three original founders, had with the property.
Support us
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Volunteering at Wray Castle
If you can see yourself working in the beautiful grounds of Wray Castle or welcoming visitors inside, we might just have a role for you. Find out more about volunteering here.