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
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Life is for living, so get out and about and come and visit some of our #specialplaces 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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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.
[Image description: Two people sitting on a grassy bank beside a stony lakeshore beach, with trees and hills in the background.]
08/06/2026
Nordic Walking at Wray🍃
Join the St.Mary's Hospice team for gentle, guided Nordic walking in a supportive, welcoming environment. Open to people living with life-limiting conditions, carers, and anyone experiencing grief.
Enjoy light exercise at your own pace, with beautiful lakeside views.
📅 Friday 17 July | 2 – 3:30pm
📅 Friday 31 July | 2 – 3:30pm
📍 Wray
Open to all abilities.
To find out more or book an assessment call St. Mary's Hospice 01229 444407.
Part of Branches of Care - a collaboration between St Mary’s Hospice and the National Trust, offering gentle, nature-based wellbeing activities for people living with life-limiting conditions (including dementia), carers, and those experiencing bereavement in beautiful Lake District settings.
[Image description: Group of people taking part in Nordic walking across a grassy park, using walking poles and moving along a gentle path surrounded by trees and greenery on a sunny day.]
02/06/2026
Compassionate Café with St.Mary's Hospice
This Friday - Compassionate Café is a welcoming drop-in space for people living with life-limiting conditions (including dementia), carers, and anyone experiencing grief or loss. First Friday of every month.
📅Friday 5 June
📅10am –12pm
📍Joey’s Café at Wray
Come along to:
• Access support
• Learn about local services (including dementia support)
• Meet others who understand
• Enjoy a relaxed chat in a peaceful setting
A free tea or coffee provided. All other items are available at 20% discount.
No booking needed – just drop in. A member of the team will be there to welcome you. Free parking available for attendees.
Part of Branches of Care, a collaboration between St Mary’s Hospice and the National Trust, offering gentle, nature-based wellbeing activities for people living with life-limiting conditions (including dementia), carers, and those experiencing bereavement in beautiful Lake District settings.
Café
02/06/2026
Celebrating our incredible volunteers this Volunteers’ Week 💚
From answering questions in the rooms of our houses and doing guided tours, to caring for our gardens, fells, beaches and woodlands, our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. Whether welcoming visitors, supporting events or looking after our second-hand bookshops, their time, passion and dedication make a difference in every corner of the Trust.
We simply couldn’t do it without you — thank you for all that you bring. 🌿👏
🔗 Find out more or get involved: bit.ly/volunteerlakes
[Image descriptions: image 1 Text on a window reads 'Thank you to our wonderful dedicated volunteers' in white. Image 2 Garden volunteers with a trolley and plants at Sizergh. Image 3 Two volunteers sit in a dimly lit room with objects and paper in front of them at Hill Top. Image 4 four people building a dry stone wall in Windermere. Image 5 People standing in a green field building a tree cage with planks of wood. Image 6 Group of volunteers and staff in 1940s dress in the courtyard at Townend for Heritage Open Days. Image 7 Person crouched down in woodland doing coppicing in Elterwater. Image 8 Three people surrounded by tall green Himalayan balsam in Elterwater. Image 9 Person with cap on pulling out brambles in an autumnal garden at Allan Bank. Image 10 Two people planting a sapling inside a wooden tree cage at Common Farm to create an orchard]
29/05/2026
Walking inspo for - a longer walk
Windermere West Shore: Wray Castle to Claife Viewing Station
Take in the beauty of Lake Windermere with this scenic lakeside walk along the peaceful west shore. Starting (or finishing) at Wray Castle and Claife Viewing Station, it’s a great route for a relaxed day out - with a Joey’s café at each end ☕
Route options:
➡️ One way: 4 miles (6.4km) | approx. 1 hour 30 mins
➡️ Return: 8 miles (12.8km) | approx. 3 hours
🐕 Dogs on leads welcome
From Claife Viewing station it's a short walk to the car and passenger ferry or to Windermere Lake Cruises jetty at Ash Landing jetty. Or you can retrace your steps to Wray.
[Image descriptions: Image 1 stained glass in a window of an old stone building with views over the lake. Image 2 Gothic looking turrets of Wray castle against a blue sky. Image 3 A signpost showing the walking routes. Image 4 Information board with trees behind.]
26/05/2026
Make the journey part of the adventure...
Leave the car behind and arrive at Wray the scenic way with Windermere Lake Cruises’ Green Cruise
Glide across the lake, take in the views, and step straight off the boat into Wray’s beautiful grounds. It’s an easy, sustainable way to turn your visit into a full day out.
- Relaxing lake journey
- Greener travel choice
- Direct access to Wray and lakeshore walks
Slow down, soak it all in, and make your day out even more memorable.
[Image descriptions: Image 1 Wooden boat moored by a small jetty near a stone boathouse, surrounded by trees. Image 2 Wooden passenger boat on the lake with shoreline buildings and hills in the background.]
24/05/2026
Walking inspo for >> Wray Castle to Latterbarrow circular walk
Looking for a walk with a bit of everything? This rewarding circular route from Wray Castle combines lakeside views, woodland trails and breathtaking panoramas from the summit of Latterbarrow.
Duration: approx 2.5 hours
Distance: 4.8 miles (7.7km)
Dogs on leads welcome 🐕🦺
[Image description: Dry stone wall divides two green fields with a lake and mountains in the distance and bright blue sky]
21/05/2026
Looking for an easy, family-friendly day out by the lake? Wray has plenty to keep everyone busy this half term.
Here are just a few ways to make the most of your visit:
- Explore waymarked walks and lakeside views
- Picnic in a scenic spot (there's also Joey's café on site)
- See interesting big trees in the garden
- Find stones along the shore
- Try geocaching adventures
[Video description: camera pans across a mock-gothic style castle with jackdaws flying in a blue sky. Cuts to two children running along a woodland path. Cuts to two children exploring a walled garden with red brick. Text overlay reads "Space to play at Wray"]
20/05/2026
Wray is right by the lake, and with half-term coming up and warmer, sunnier weather on the way, we’re sharing the RNLI’s top safety tips.
If you’re struggling in the water, . Remember it. Practise it. Share it. It could save you or someone you love.
[Image descriptions: Image 1 Young person floating on back in open water; text: “Struggling in the water? Float to live.”]
17/06/2026
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