Wray Castle Restoration Project
- Last updated:
- 26 March 2025
A major restoration project is underway at Wray Castle securing its future as a vibrant, family-friendly destination.
As well as being a home, the castle has been a youth hostel, a base for the Freshwater Biological Association and a training college for Merchant Navy radio officers.
Donated to the Trust in 1929, with 64 acres of land, it opened as a visitor attraction in 2011. Since then it has welcomed many thousands of visitors providing them with a unique experience on the quieter side of the lake. Wray is one of the few places that the public can visit on the west side.
Over recent years, the mock Victorian castle, with fairytale turrets and arrow slits, has shown signs of deterioration. This essential project will invest in both the castle and the wider estate, ensuring they remain welcoming, engaging spaces for generations to come.
What’s Happening?
During the restoration, we’ll carry out comprehensive surveys of the castle—covering structural, electrical, roofing, historical, and archaeological aspects.
Key improvements include:
- A new sewage treatment plant
- Essential maintenance repairs to the roof and electrics
- An upgraded adventure playground
- Ongoing restoration of estate buildings. The Glass House is now refurbished, it’s where visitors can find out about the project, next on the list is the Porter’s Lodge
Visiting in 2025
While the castle itself will be closed during the works, the Wray Estate remains open. We’re enhancing the visitor experience with:
- Outdoor events, like Easter trails and Summer of Play activities for families
- The Royal Geographical Society’s Earth Photo 2025 exhibition will be on display throughout the grounds between 12th Sept 2025 and 30th April 2026
- More guided walks, and expanded walking routes
- Year-round access to Joey’s Café, toilets, and parking (open year round from dawn until dusk)
- Eco travel as part of your day out. You can travel by boot, bus or boat to Wray. Windermere Lake Cruises Green Cruise operate a launch from Ambleside (Waterhead) and Brockhole to Wray from 5th April
Looking Ahead
Our vision is to transform Wray Castle into a dynamic gallery space, showcasing touring exhibitions and eventually housing the National Trust’s Beatrix Potter collection.
Stay tuned for updates as we bring new life to this much-loved site.
Exploring the Grounds at Wray
Wray is a true landscape masterpiece, and the parkland has changed little over the years. Take a walk in the grounds around the castle and park and discover some of the features of this great estate, still much as they were when they were built.
Top Ten Things to do at Wray
There's so much to discover in the grounds and parkland at Wray from panoramic views across Lake District fells, lakeside walks, woodlands and more.