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Sizergh
Beautiful medieval house with rich gardens and estate
Sizergh, near Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8DZ
Opening times for 9 January 2025
Asset Opening time House Closed Café 10:00 - 16:00 Car Park 09:00 - 19:00 Garden 10:00 - 16:00 Park Dawn - Dusk Shop 10:00 - 16:00 Last entry to the House is at 3:15pm. In the cafe, lunch is served until 2:30pm.
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Our second-hand bookshop is located in the Great Barn.
Dogs allowed
Dogs are welcome on the wider estate. Assistance dogs only in the gardens.
Café
Open every day, serving hot meals, drinks and snacks using seasonal produce grown in the garden. Lunch served until 2:30pm, with cakes, drinks and ice cream served until close.
Shop
Car park
Toilet
Cycle parking
Cycle parking is located outside visitor reception. Ask at Visitor Welcome if you want to borrow a lock. Cycle parking includes an outdoor plug for charging of E-cycles. Additional cycle parking is also available at the café.
Designated mobility spaces in the car park. Adapted toilet facilities by main toilet block. Flat tarmac paths from car park to garden. Wheelchair available. Mobility scooter available to hire from the Lake District Mobility website. Garden: grass and loose gravel paths, steep slopes, terraces, uneven surfaces. Parkland is open countryside with gates and stiles. Some visitors may require assistance from a companion.
Accessible toilet
Narrow corridors
Designated parking
Powered mobility vehicle available
Induction loop
Ramped access/slopes
A wheelchair ramp to access the house is available on request.
Level access to food outlet
Steps/uneven terrain
Stepped access to first floor of the house. Garden has grass and loose gravel paths, steep slopes, terraces, uneven surfaces. Parkland is open countryside with associated terrain.
Level access to shop
Wheelchairs available
A wheelchair is available to hire free of charge.
Level access/terrain
Level access to ground floor of the house.
By road
From the M6, exit at junction 36, take the A590 towards Kendal, then come off at the Barrow-in-Furness turning. Follow the brown signs, one of which comes quickly after the Brettargh Holt roundabout so please be aware you should be in the right hand lane. Parking: 250 yards from the main entrance.
Parking: Please follow signs.
Sat Nav: LA8 8DZ
On foot
Network of paths include Levens (1.3 m/27 mins), Brigsteer (1.3 m/27 mins), Kendal (3.25m/1 hr 45mins). The Lake District Boundary Walk passes near the pedestrian entrance.
By train
The closest train station is Oxenholme which is 11 minutes (4.4 miles) in a taxi to Sizergh, or a 23 minute (4.2 mile) cycle ride along predominantly traffic-free country lanes via the villages of Natland and Sedgwick. There are connections at Oxenholme from Glasgow, Carlisle, Crewe, Birmingham and London. Or take the train to Kendal for regular local buses to Sizergh. Find out more about exploring car-free
By bus
From Kendal, take the hourly X6 bus or the 555, 755, 551 and 530 bus services to the Heaves / Brettagh stop (ask the bus driver for Sizergh). Plan your car-free visit with Good Journey and enjoy a free regular size hot drink when you show your bus ticket: Find out more about exploring car-free
Once at the Heaves/Brettagh take care crossing this busy road and use the crossing place. Continue walking in the direction of the bus, and then turn right down Nannypie Lane following the brown sign to Sizergh Castle. Take care on this country lane. Walk past the Strickland Arms pub and continue along the driveway to Sizergh Castle (20 mins walk).By bicycle
NCN6, 1½ miles. The routes are on the road so are best suited for experienced cyclists. National Cycle Route 70 passes by our main gate, as does the Lakes and Dales loop. Route 70 (also known as the “Walney to Wear”) starts in Barrow-in-Furness and passes through Ulverston, Cartmel and Grange-over-Sands before reaching Sizergh Castle. From Kendal, take cycle Route 6 to meet National Cycle Route 70. Find out more about exploring car-free
Car-free
Travel the green way and help us preserve this amazing place. Visit Sizergh by bus and receive a free regular hot drink when you show your bus ticket. Plan your car-free visit with Good Journey
Planning your visit
Article
Access at Sizergh | Lake District
We want to make sure that Sizergh is accessible for all visitors. The historic house, gardens and estate we care for present challenges in creating access for all, but we are taking steps to ensure that as many people as possible are able to experience Sizergh’s history and beauty. Here you’ll find information about access across the different areas of Sizergh and how to make the most of your visit.
Article
Family-friendly things to do at Sizergh
Whether you want to let little legs run off some steam, wander through a peaceful garden for a buggy-friendly walk, or discover a children’s trail through a house filled with treasures, there’s something for all ages here at Sizergh.
Article
Visiting Sizergh with your dog
Sizergh is a two pawprint rated place. Find out which areas of the estate you can explore with your dog.
Highlights
Garden
Rich gardens including a mirror lake, colourful herbaceous border, working kitchen garden, apple orchard and limestone rock garden.
House
Medieval manor filled with items collected by 26 generations of the Strickland family, including the internationally recognised Inlaid Chamber. Last entry in the house is at 3:15pm.
Estate
1,600-acre estate containing wetlands, limestone pasture, ancient woodland, farmland and orchards and home to a variety of wildlife and flowers.
Café
Contemporary café open every day serving hot meals, drinks and snacks using seasonal produce grown in the garden. Lunch is served until 2:30pm, and afterwards hot drinks, cakes and ice cream are served until close.
Shop
Shop selling locally made products, home accessories, sweets, plants, toys and gifts.
Second-hand bookshop
Pre-loved thrillers, autobiographies, cookbooks, DVDs, CDs and children's books for sale in the historic Great Barn second-hand bookshop.
Accessible Trail
1.5km circular loop through ancient woodland, traditional Westmorland orchards and a historic farm.
Spotlight events
Enjoy winter walks on the estate, plus warming winter favourites in the café and the chance to find unique, locally-sourced wares in the shop.
Things to see and do
Article
Visiting the garden at Sizergh
Feel inspired with a stroll through the gardens at Sizergh and find out what you’re likely to see growing here when you visit.
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Exploring the estate at Sizergh
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.
Article
Visiting the house at Sizergh
Medieval manor filled with items collected by 26 generations of the Strickland family. Last entry in the house is at 3:15pm.
Article
Borrow a mobility scooter to explore the garden and estate
Hire a tramper mobility scooter at Sizergh to assist your visit to the gardens in Kendal, Cumbria.
Top trails
Trail
Holeslack Accessible Trail
Take this accessible circular route for a flavour of the Sizergh estate, from ancient woodlands and traditional Westmorland orchards to historic farm buildings and parklands.
Trail
Park End Moss wetland walk at Sizergh
This circular walk to Park End Moss showcases the diversity of the Sizergh estate, taking in ancient woodlands, historic parkland and a wetland popular with numerous bird species.
Trail
Sizergh wildlife walk
Follow this route from Sizergh Castle for views of the Lakeland Fells, the Pennines and Morecambe Bay, as well as birds, butterflies, wildflowers and some unusual animals.
Eating and shopping
Article
Eating and shopping at Sizergh
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?
Places to stay
Holeslack Cottage
A rustic, light-filled farm cottage on the Sizergh estate
Low Strawberry Gardens
A simple lakeside retreat for an uplugged holiday, with a jetty to launch your canoe or kayak in Windermere.
High Strawberry Gardens
A simple lakeside retreat for an uplugged holiday, with a jetty to launch your canoe or kayak in Windermere.
Holeslack Farmhouse
Contemporary and rustic combine in this Grade II listed farmhouse on the Sizergh estate.
Upcoming events
Event
House Taster Tours
Meet some of the key characters in Sizergh’s history, delving into 800 years of history.
Event
Guided Walk: Ancient Trees and Magnificent Murals
Discover spectacular ancient trees and a historic mural with a guided walk to Helsington Church. Booking is essential.
Event
Hawfinch Watch
Wrap up warm and join our expert Ranger Rob for a chance to spot a hawfinch at first light.
Event
Guided Walk: Prehistoric Sizergh
Explore the traces of Sizergh’s prehistoric past, and its picturesque present, with a guided walk to Sizergh Fell. Booking is essential.
Event
Conservation in Action: Queen’s Room Deep Clean
Watch the House team undertake a deep clean of the Queen’s Room at Sizergh.
Event
Sizergh’s Spring Bird Challenge
Can you discover eight of the birds that call Sizergh home? Take part in the Spring Bird Challenge.
Event
Conservation in Action: Stone Parlour Deep Clean
Come along and see a deep clean of the Stone Parlour at Sizergh.
About Sizergh
This imposing house stands proudly at the gateway to the Lake District and has been home to the Strickland family for more than 800 years.
There’s plenty to explore on the 1,600-acre estate, including wetland, woodland and orchards – look out for fritillary butterflies, deer and rare hawfinches. If you’d rather relax in gardens, wander through the orchards, rock garden or stumpery or stroll along the herbaceous border and fruit wall – there's something new to see in every season.
Art and collections
Sizergh's objects and collections
Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Sizergh on the National Trust Collections website.
Support us
Article
Volunteer at Sizergh
Sizergh is always on the lookout for enthusiastic volunteers to join the 130-strong team. Find out more about the kind of roles on offer and what makes volunteering here so special
Appeal
Cecilia's ramp
Learn more about our plans to reopen an early 19th century access ramp, named after its original user Cecilia Strickland.