Where to go · Cumbria
Forest bathing at Wray Castle
Victorian lakeside grounds on the west shore of Windermere, with giant firs, sequoias, cedars and veteran oaks.
Wray Castle stands on the quiet western shore of Windermere. Its grounds hold a small arboretum of giant exotic firs, sequoias, cedars and beech, typical of the Lakeland villas of the time, and the parkland has many veteran oaks that are older than the castle. Wordsworth is said to have planted a mulberry tree here in 1845. A shingle beach gives you the lake.
Waymarked trails along the shore and through the parkland start at the front of the castle, and the grounds are open from early morning to evening. The castle interior is currently closed for works, but the grounds and café stay open. For a longer walk through fields and woodland, the Latterbarrow circular climbs gently to a viewpoint. Early mornings are calm here, and in autumn the big trees by the lake are worth the trip on their own.
Practical
- Managed by
- National Trust
- Parking
- Pay and display; free for National Trust members
- Terrain
- Grassy parkland and lakeshore trails; field and woodland paths beyond
- Nearest station
- Windermere, about 20 minutes by car
- Facilities
- Café, toilets including disabled toilet, bookshop, all-terrain mobility scooter (book ahead)
- Opening and entry
- Grounds open daily 8am to 8pm
- Official page
- nationaltrust.org.uk
Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.
Guides who run sessions here
No guides listed at Wray Castle yet
See forest bathing guides in Cumbria, who may run sessions nearby. If you guide here, list your practice for free and add Wray Castle to your venues.
More woodlands in Cumbria
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Aira Force and Gowbarrow ParkOld pleasure ground of woods and waterfalls above Ullswater, with champion trees
Dodd WoodWooded hill above Bassenthwaite Lake, trails from one car park and red squirrels all year
EnnerdaleRemote western valley being let go wild, with forest, river and a quiet lakePhotos: Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park, Sicoda01 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Dodd Wood, Michael Graham (CC BY-SA 2.0); Ennerdale, Michael Graham (CC BY-SA 2.0).