Wray Parkland & Castle National Trust

Wray Parkland & Castle National Trust Wray parkland and castle is a unique National Trust property - a castle but not a castle in outstanding grounds with lakeshore walks and a café.

This page will share news about our work as the National Trust at Wray Castle in the English Lake District. We welcome your involvement in the page please feel free to post comments, photos and your own posts in the spirit of fun, informative, relevant information; and do feel free to ask us questions. Please note that everything on the page is open to public view. We will remove comments made in

bad taste or which which might annoy or offend others; in posting any photos you are giving us permission to use them elsewhere on our social media or web site pages, do feel free to ask us to remove anything if you change your mind. If you have any concerns please do send us a private message or contact us via our website ie nationaltrust.org.uk/wray-castle

Life is for living, so get out and about and come and visit some of our and spaces! We’re a conservation charity that protects over 350 historic houses, 160 gardens, 1,100km of coastline, 254,000 hectares of land of outstanding natural beauty, 6 World Heritage Sites, 28 castles and 60 pubs - let's not forget the pubs. Then, we open them up to everyone, to enjoy for ever. But it doesn’t stop there. We also look after forests, woods, fens, beaches, farmland, downs, moorland, islands, archaeological remains, castles, nature reserves, villages - for ever, for everyone. As a charity we depend on people like you to help us continue our vital work. There are hundreds of ways to help us – from volunteering to making a donation. So, whether you're looking for a great family day out, a place to walk the dog, or perhaps you just want to give a little something back to the community - we have something to offer you.


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We want our page to be a place where peopl...e can share how they feel about the National Trust and talk about their experiences in a fun environment. We welcome feedback – both positive and negative. It helps us to learn and grow. These house rules aim to ensure everyone can enjoy themselves while they’re here:

We ask you to be nice and polite to one another – you almost always are! - and respect each other’s views and comments. We ask all users to ensure your contributions are civil, polite, tasteful and suitable for all ages. We won't tolerate disruptive, offensive or abusive behaviour, unlawful or objectionable content. This includes any material which might be defamatory, offensive, infringing, obscene, lewd, pornographic, violent, abusive, insulting, threatening, harassing, discriminatory, blasphemous, indecent or otherwise unlawful or objectionable. It also includes any material which is aggressive, argumentative or likely to be construed as bullying. No spamming or repetition, please, nor off-topic material in subject-specific threads or areas.

*Moderation policy*
In general, we don’t moderate posts – except on the rare occasion that someone has used offensive language or made libellous allegations about named or identifiable individuals on our page. We have a duty to protect our staff and volunteers, so while deleting comments is totally out of character for us, our legal position is that any post containing a libellous accusations, should be removed. If an individual continues to post offensive, threatening or libellous content then we’ll be forced to block that person from the page. We won’t tolerate postings, content, or links that are racist, sexist or homophobic. We also don’t permit linking to or posting any content which endorses illegal activity, or any activities against the values of the National Trust. If you’re concerned that a posting or user content has broken any of our house rules or you’re worried about any comment or content then please send us an email to [email protected] and let us know. Finally, please note that the views on our page are created by our community and don’t necessarily represent the views or opinions of National Trust.

Have you visited Wray's glasshouse recently? 🌿Freshly repainted, repaired and filled with plants, this historic glasshou...
21/08/2026

Have you visited Wray's glasshouse recently? 🌿

Freshly repainted, repaired and filled with plants, this historic glasshouse has been transformed into a light-filled, peaceful space. Conservation work by the National Trust's Specialist Craft Centre has helped restore one of its most damaged window units, ensuring this special feature can be enjoyed for years to come.

Pop in on your next visit and see the transformation for yourself. ✨

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/wray

[Image description: 1. Sunlit glasshouse interior with tall windows overlooking gardens. 2. Potted plants and interpretive displays inside Wray Castle glasshouse. 3. Glass roof framing blue sky and Wray Castle tower beyond. 4. outside of the glasshouse mock gothic style]

Looking for a summer adventure? 🌳☀️From woodland walks and lakeshore picnics to cycling, geocaching and exploring the hi...
18/08/2026

Looking for a summer adventure? 🌳☀️

From woodland walks and lakeshore picnics to cycling, geocaching and exploring the historic glasshouse, plus hoola hoops and bats & balls to play with, there's plenty to discover at Wray this summer. Don't miss our outdoor photography exhibition, stunning lake views and peaceful corners of Windermere's quieter side.

What's your favourite thing to do at Wray?

📍 Plan your visit and explore our Top 10 Things to Do at Wray.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/wray/top-ten-things-to-do-at-wray

[Image description: Historic glasshouse garden area at Wray, surrounded by mature trees and bright green lawns on a sunny day.]

17/08/2026
📸 Step back in time at Wray this summer...A brand-new outdoor display, Pages from the Potter Family Album, brings the ph...
20/07/2026

📸 Step back in time at Wray this summer...

A brand-new outdoor display, Pages from the Potter Family Album, brings the photographs of Rupert Potter – father of beloved author Beatrix Potter – to life in the very landscape that inspired her.

Displayed on large outdoor panels throughout Wray's garden, these remarkable Victorian photographs capture family holidays, Lake District scenery and everyday moments from more than 100 years ago. You can compare the historic images with the views around them today and follow in the Potter family's footsteps.

The exhibition is free to enjoy within the Wray estate, where you can also explore the gardens, woodland trails, lakeshore walks and restored Glasshouse. Make a day of it with Summer of Play activities or arrive in style via Windermere Lake Cruises' Green Route service.

📍 Wray, near Ambleside
🎟️ Free exhibition
📅 On display throughout the summer

[Image description: Image 1. An outdoor exhibition panel at Wray displays a historic black-and-white photograph of Wray Castle and the Potter family from 1882. The modern-day castle can be seen in the background beyond tall summer grasses, allowing visitors to compare the Victorian image with the present-day view. Image 2. Large outdoor exhibition panels featuring historic Potter family photographs are displayed along a woodland garden path at Wray. Surrounded by lush green foliage and ferns, the exhibition invites visitors to explore Victorian family life and the landscapes that inspired Beatrix Potter. Image 3. The restored Glasshouse at Wray stands in bright sunshine, with its stone walls, large windows and glass roof visible against a backdrop of mature trees. Colourful bunting decorates the lawn in front, with views towards Lake Windermere and the surrounding Lake District landscape beyond.]

🌞 Summer of Play is on at Wray...You'll find natural play and outdoor adventures. Challenge each other to classic lawn g...
03/07/2026

🌞 Summer of Play is on at Wray...

You'll find natural play and outdoor adventures. Challenge each other to classic lawn games, spin hoops, discover activities hidden around the grounds and let imaginations run wild in the parkland. See the outside of a fairy tale style castle and take family selfies together. Look out for the jackdaws flying around the castle and parkland.

On warm days, make your way down to Windermere's shoreline for a paddle and take in the lakeside views. It's the perfect place to get active, explore nature and make summer memories together.

Find out more and plan your visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/wray/visiting-wray-castle-with-family

[Image description: Image 1 Child splashing in the shallow waters of Windermere while a younger child paddles nearby and an adult stands in the lake on a sunny summer day.]

🌿☀️💦

We are appealing for help with information about the theft of a Sycamore Gap tree sapling from Wray castle and parkland....
30/06/2026

We are appealing for help with information about the theft of a Sycamore Gap tree sapling from Wray castle and parkland. If you know anything that might be useful, please contact the police direct.

Laura Lee, General Manager Lake District, Lakes & Eden Properties said, ‘We are shocked and saddened that a sapling from the Sycamore Gap tree that was gifted to the Lake District National Park and planted at Wray in April 2026 has been stolen.

Grown from seeds gathered from the much-loved tree at Hadrian's Wall, which was illegally felled in 2023, it was one of fifteen saplings planted across the UK's National Parks as a symbol of hope and resilience among our most protected landscapes.

The sapling also helped launch 'Branches of Care', a joint wellbeing initiative by the National Trust and St Mary's Hospice in Ulverston supporting people experiencing illness, dementia, and bereavement through nature.

This tree symbolised resilience and renewal, and its loss will be deeply felt. We are working with Cumbria Police and ask anyone with information to come forward.
While this is a setback, it does not undermine the spirit the tree represents. Acts of care, restoration, and community support remain far stronger.

We urge those involved to do the right thing, return the sapling, or come forward. The tree belongs to everyone.’

Anyone who has any information relating to the theft is asked to contact police quoting crime reference number CRI10053058. You can report online via www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it or call 101.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously via : Independent UK charity taking crime information anonymously | Crimestoppers or by calling 0800 555 111.

[Image description: a sapling with a small black plaque attached, planted in a grassy field, with a lake behind and two people standing in the mid-distance]

Escape the hustle and bustle by exploring the quieter shore of lake Windermere. Even on a slightly overcast day there's ...
17/06/2026

Escape the hustle and bustle by exploring the quieter shore of lake Windermere. Even on a slightly overcast day there's plenty to enjoy.

Hear the gentle lapping of small waves on the stony beach, the call of waterbirds and watch boats passing by on the lake.

Top 10 things to do at Wray parkland...
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/wray/top-ten-things-to-do-at-wray

[Image description: Two people sitting on a grassy bank beside a stony lakeshore beach, with trees and hills in the background.]

Address

Low Wray
Ambleside
LA220JA

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+441539433250

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