Lowther Castle

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Lowther Castle is the romantic shell of a large 19th century country house designed by Sir Robert Smirke.  All that remained in 1953 were the high stone castle walls, a few large rooms, and the stables.  In 2010 it was decided to develop the house and gardens as a visitor attraction.  The castle walls were stabilised and the stables converted for visitor centre, café, shop, and holiday flats.  Ramboll replaced unsightly external steelwork propping the castle walls with neatly hidden internal strengthening.  Considerable structural alterations were needed to accommodate the new uses, all carried out with exemplary care, preserving the 19th century appearance.  A good piece of careful conservation.

Judge's comment:

An excellent example of careful conservation, giving a new life to a large ruined 19th century house.  The romantic castle walls have been skilfully stabilised with internal strengthening steelwork; extensive structural alterations to the stables to convert them for visitor centre, café, shop and holiday flats the stables have been made without losing the essential 19th century appearance.