Heritage Open Days - See inside St Margaret’s Church on the Wray estate
A place of worship for a Victorian middle-class couple, and the place where a friendship began that proved so important to the Lake District we see today. St Margaret's Church is normally closed to visitors; here's your chance to see the interior.
- Booking not needed
- Free event
St Margaret of Antioch Church was built by the Dawsons in 1856 as part of the Wray estate. Hardwicke Rawnsley, who went on to become one of the founders of the National Trust, served as the vicar from 1877 - 1884. During this time, he met young Beatrix Potter and her family who were staying at Wray Castle for their summer holiday in the Lake District. It was the start of a long-lasting friendship: Hardwicke championed Beatrix’s books and they shared a desire to protect the Lake District’s landscape and traditions. Beatrix worked closely with the National Trust and bequeathed to the charity over 4000 acres and 15 farms.
For Heritage Open Days, the church will be opened as a chance to see inside the Grade II listed building and former place of worship normally closed to visitors. The church isn’t owned by the National Trust and has been opened with permission from the Diocese of Carlisle. This may be the last year that we open the church, so be sure to make the most of it while you can.
Drop in between 1030 and 1500, where you’ll be welcomed by a member of the National Trust team who can share with you more about the history of this special place.
Pay and display parking is available at the castle, (first left after Low Wray campsite) which is free for National Trust members. There is an exhibition inside the castle which is free for everyone to view, (Other Everests: One Mountain, Many Worlds) along with a café and toilets.
Times
The basics
- Accessibility
Steps into the church. There is limited parking close to the church however, it isn’t designated as accessible parking. There are no toilets at the church, the nearest toilets are at the castle.
- Other
Pay and display parking available at the castle (free for National Trust members) and then it's a 10 minutes walk to the church either on tarmac down the drive or across the field.
Upcoming events
Summer of Play at Wray
Imagine you’re preparing for an adventure of a lifetime: scaling Mount Everest. Kick start your training by getting active at Wray, with free fun activities around the grounds.
Other Everests: One Mountain, Many Worlds
Other Everests: One Mountain, Many Worlds, shares photographs and mountaineering artefacts from the Royal Geographical Society and the Mountain Heritage Trust in the centenary year of the 1924 Mount Everest expedition.