North West Association of Civic Societies and Civic Trusts
AUTUMN GATHERING
A Visit to LOWTHER CASTLE
Near Penrith, Cumbria
From a 12th century Pele Tower……….to a grand country mansion
house ….. a magnificent castle……and amazing gardens!!
NWacts ‘Building at Risk’ 2013
In 2012, a new beginning – a massive £9 million pound
Heritage Lottery Funded Restoration Project now begun.
Saturday 12th October 2013
From 10.00am to 4.00pm
A day full of interest with guided tours to view the ruined castle and also the
extensive once beautiful gardens, hidden away for seventy years.
Cost per person: £18.50 each, including lunch, tea/coffee throughout the day,
and tea in the Café in the Courtyard after the tour of the gardens.
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Programme for the day
10.30am
Registration with tea/coffee served on arrival.
11.00am
Welcome by Peter Colley, Chairman of NWacts
11.10am
Introduction to Lowther Castle by Brian Gray, Chairman of the
Trustees, to include the history of Lowther Castle and a tour of the
castle buildings outlining progress of the restoration project since
funding became available in 2012.
12.45pm
End of morning session
1.00pm
Soup and Sandwich lunch
2.00pm Afternoon session led by the Head Gardener, Martin Ogle.
After a brief introduction, we shall be taken in small groups for a tour
of the extensive gardens.
3.40pm
Return to the Castle venue with tea/ scones served in the Café in the
Courtyard.
4.00pm
Close of the afternoon session.
Please come prepared with suitable footwear for walking in the
grounds and note that warm waterproof outer wear is strongly
advised for this time of year.
A shorter tour will be included for those unwilling to undertake the full
tour of the gardens.
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North West Association of Civic Societies and Civic Trusts
AUTUMN GATHERING
A Visit to LOWTHER CASTLE
Near Penrith, Cumbria
Saturday 12th October 2013
From 10.00am to 4.00pm
I/We wish to reserve (
person.
) places for the day visit to Lowther Castle at a cost of £20 per
Name/s:……………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Name of Civic Society or Trust: …………………………………………………………………..
Email address: ……………………………………………………………..
Postal Address: ……………………………………………………………………………………
Enclosed is a cheque for £ …… ….
made payable to NWacts.
Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope for confirmation of your
reservation. and send it with your cheque and completed Booking Form1 to Kate
Cartmell, 51, Hall Park Drive, Lytham, Lancs FY8 4QZ
(For further details Tel: 01254 733414 or email:katecartmell@gmail.com)
BOOKING FORM 1.
If you can be tempted to stay overnight, Penrith Civic Society have kindly offered
us a tour of the town on Sunday morning and there are many interesting places
to visit in the locality before you leave. Should you be interested, please contact
Kate Cartmell as above.
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Lowther Castle and Gardens
Lake District
Nr Penrith
Cumbria CA10 2HH
www.lowthercastle.org
Parking is free.
Directions:
North from J40 follow A66 east to next roundabout; then A6 south for 3 miles; then follow
signs for LOWTHER CASTLE.
South from M6 exit 39 follow A6 north for 8 miles; then follow signs for LOWTHER CASTLE.
East and West from A66 at Penrith follow A6 south for 3 miles; then follow signs for Lowther
Castle.
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A long way to travel? Why not stay the night – join us
for a meal on Saturday evening with a guided tour of
Penrith on Sunday morning.
Please make your own overnight arrangements.
We suggest either
George and Dragon Inn, Clifton, Penrith, CA10 2ER (Tel: 01768 865 381) or
Travelodge, Penrith (see Penrith Travelogue website); Tel: 0871 984 6168
The George and Dragon Inn is highly recommended for our Saturday evening
meal. 20 places have been booked and early reservations are advised, to be
made via Kate.
Optional Sunday venues can be arranged given sufficient
interest:
1. Walking tour of Penrith by kind courtesy of Penrith Civic Society.
From 9.30am to 11.30am.
2. Other possible local visits:
Brough Castle - English Heritage with free access.
Brougham Castle – English Heritage, 1 mile from Penrith
Apple Day Event at Acorn Bank; National Trust
Aira Force – spectacular waterfall walk near to Ullswater Lake; with café
facilities available. National Trust
Please note that vouchers giving free access to National Trust and English Heritage
properties are available through Civic Voice to members of Civic Trusts and Civic Societies.
3. Other local places of interest – see websites for further details
Boat trip on Ullswater Lake from Glenridding
Askham Hall Gardens and/or Dalemain Country House.
Please note that transport is not provided for Sunday visits. However, we will
endeavour to make arrangements with a local bus operator if there is sufficient
interest.
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North West Association of Civic Societies and Civic Trusts
AUTUMN GATHERING
A Day Visit to LOWTHER CASTLE
Near Penrith, Cumbria
Saturday 12th October 2013
From 10.00am to 4.00pm
Available options:
1. Early evening meal at the George and Dragon Inn, Clifton, Nr Penrith.
2-course menu at £21; 3-course at £26.
The venue specialises in local produce, including, whenever possible, from
the Lowther Estates. The Inn is highly recommended in the locality.
Menu included - please choose your requirements and return named with
completed cheque and stamped addressed envelope to Kate Cartmell, as
shown on page 3.
Amount: £…………….. for ……. two-course meals
Amount: £ ……………..for ……… three-course meals
I/We enclose a cheque for £ ……………..made payable to NWacts.
2. I/ we would like join the tour of Penrith on Sunday morning
Time
Tour
Choice
9.30 – 11.30am
Tour of Penrith
Yes/ No
No. of places
Name/s …………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
BOOKING FORM 2.
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Our Philosophy
More than just local
What makes the George and Dragon so special is that its source of inspiration, history, passion and
produce comes from the owners’ family Estates, right on its doorstep, where food has been produced
for more than 800 years. We grow and rear as much of our own produce as possible at our own gardens
and surrounding fields at Askham Hall (where the owner Charles Lowther grew up) and is just a couple
of miles from the George and Dragon. Our philosophy is that of sustainability, simplicity and taste and
whatever we don’t grow or rear ourselves at Askham Hall, we ensure, when possible, that the rest of
the fresh, seasonal produce we use is sourced from local suppliers and farmers within about 20 miles of
the pub.
Location
Charles Lowther, who had been looking for some time for the perfect location for a pub and restaurant
to showcase the produce he rears, said: “I take huge pride in the quality of produce on my family estate
and our gardens at Askham Hall and being able to offer people the opportunity to experience and enjoy
all it has to offer is wonderful. It’s important for people to know where their food comes from and we
can give them not only all the answers but also a place to experience the heritage of the area.”
He added: “And best of all it’s helping to support the local economy.” It’s not just the food that is
locally sourced: the building materials used to restore the 18th century coaching inn all come from the
surrounding area and everyone who helped create the pub as it is today are local.”
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George and Dragon, Clifton, Nr Penrith
Cumbria CA10 2ER
AUTUMN 2013 SET MENU
Starters
Soup of the day (v)
Smooth chicken liver parfait, warm toast, apple and apricot relish
George and Dragon twice baked cheese soufflé, with spinach and chive cream sauce (v)
Brougham Hall smoked salmon & prawn cocktail, crispy lettuce, sun blushed tomatoes
Main courses
Chargrilled 6oz sirloin, rocket & parmesan salad, mushrooms & tomatoes, chips, garlic butter
Wild mushroom, spinach and goats cheese tagliatelle (v)
Baked fillet of salmon, creamy curried leeks, prawns, potatoes and seasonal vegetables
Chicken breast ‘Schnitzel’, salad, chips, lemon butter
Puddings
Charlie’s chocolate pot, homemade biscotti
Sticky toffee pudding, fudge sauce, ice cream
Tunisian style orange, almond and lemon cake, orange salad, mint, lemon curd
George and Dragon classic cheeseboard and biscuits
Two-course meal
£21.00
Three-course meal
£26.00
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