Lowther is the parish name, with the villages of Lowther, Lowther Newtown, Hackthorpe, Melkinthorpe, and Whale settled well within its boundaries. The River Lowther is the westerly boundary to the beautiful park, with the magnificent facade of the castle to the south.
Lowther is somewhat synonymopus with the Lowther family. The old home of the Lowther family was originally Lowther Hall, the main part of which was burnt down in 1720. For a while the family lived in the west wing until the early 19th century, when the magnificent castle was built...designed incidentally, by Sir Robert Smirke. Lowther Castle today is now only an empty shell, an imposing facade left to disguise the ruin of a once mighty mansion. Lowthers have lived there since 1421 and, more than a century before, that they achieved a position of power in the Government, a role they placed in various capacities in every age for over 600 years. Political fortune and family prosperity went hand in hand and by the early 19th century they had acquired vast wealth and estates becoming one of the most powerful landowning families in Northern England, and rejoicing in the title of Earls of Lonsdale. It seemed an appropriate time to create a family seat worthy of such affluence and aristocratic eminence and in 1806 Robert Smirke was commissioned to design it. In the next five years arose one of the most remarkable inventions of the architect's imagination ever seen in this country, described by a Victorian admirer as 'unquestionably the most magnificent edifice of which Westmorland can boast, combining in itself the majectic effect of a fortification with the splendour of a palace', with numerous towers of different shapes and elevations, crested with battlements and pierced with slit windows. The northern front was in the style of the 13th or 14th century with ramparts boasting parapets, and turrets, fortified gateways and towers, while the southern front was in 'Gothic Cathedral style' with pointed mullion windows, delicate pinnacles, niches and cloisters. The grandeur of the interior was equally overwhelming and the grounds were laid out in beautiful formal gardens with lakes, canals and bridges all exquisitely carried out. Avenues of beech, sycamore and yew led the eye towards a wonderful panorama of the Cumbrian hills.
The shell of Lowther Castle was demolished nearly forty years ago, basically because it was so large. It had almost as many rooms as there are days in the year. Its most famous occupant was Hugh, the Fifth Earl of Lonsdale, nick-named the Yellow Earl because of his yellow carriage and enormous fleet of yellow cars. He entertained Kings and Queens, Emperors and Crown Princes, on a lavish scale, and had all the dividing walls in the park demolished to make it larger than the neighbouring Greystoke. In 1956, the roof was removed leaving only the shell of a fairy-tale like castle to bear witness of the immense power and influence of the Lowthers. Today, the estate is used as a caravan site and wildlife park, where deer, highland cattle and St Kilda sheep roam.
There are two ghosts associated with Lowther Castle. One is believed to be the 1st Earl of Lonsdale or 'Wicked Jimmy' as he was better known. His wicked temper was said to be the result of losing his one true love, a lady whom he could not marry as she was of lowly birth. Upon his death, his body was confined under a large rock, but his ghost still haunts the stables, grounds and hall. On any dark night a coach and horses may be seen driven at a mad pace from the Castle and careering around the countryside...beware!
Lowther Church is an ancient building dated somewhere between 1175 and 1300. On the mound to the left of the entrance is where the 5th Earl of Lonsdale is buried. He was known as a noted huntsman, steeplechaser, yachtsman and boxer. As President of the National Sporting Club, he founded and presented the 'Lonsdale belt' for boxing. The Earl was also the first President of the Automobile Association and permitted his family colours to be used by the Association...hence the familiar yellow of the AA signs. He died in 1944 aged 87 years. The home of the current Earl is Askham Hall.
Norse hogback gravestones have been discovered in the churchyard dating back to Ad 950 which can be seen in the church porch. The mausoleum is where some of the Lowther family have been buried over the years, and the church (as to be expected) is full of memorials to the family. Also buried here is Jacob Thompson, the artist who died in 1879. He painted landscapes and portraits and was provided within the house callled 'The Hermitage' in 1840 by the then Lord Lonsdale.
The 18th century Lowther Village is situated between Lowther Newtown and Hackthorpe. In 1682 the old village of Lowther was pulled down by Sir John Lowther, as it was in front of Lowther Hall (the site now of the present castle), which he wanted to enlarge. Between Lowther village and Hackthorpe on the A6 is the Lowther endowed school, founded in 1635 by Sir John Lowther, together with Richard Lowther and John Teasdale (Rector of Lowther). Mention should also be made of the beautiful Lowther Leisure Park, situated as it is in 150 acres of parkland. Superb attractions, scenic miniature railway, imaginative adventurre play area, boating lake, and sporting activities provide a wonderful day out for people of all ages.
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