Wray Castle
Cumbria, England
Photo: James@hopgrove, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: CellsDeDells, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Son of Groucho, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- National Trust
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Grounds only
- Entry pass
- National Trust Explorer Pass
- Nearest station
- Windermere, 2.8 miles (straight-line)
- Stays
- Overnight accommodation available
- Note
- Victorian mock-Gothic castle; closed for refurbishment until 2027
Pinpoint
Low Wray, Ambleside LA22 0JA
Telephone 015394 33250
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| 31 August - 27 December | Grounds - Daily 08:00 - 20:00 |
Checked against the official page on 25 August 2026.
Visitor essentials
- Facilities
- The cafe and visitor facilities stay open daily even while the castle building is closed; tramper mobility scooter hire is available.
- Dogs
- Rated a three-pawprint site; dogs on a lead can explore the whole estate.
A Victorian mock-Gothic castle on the shore of Windermere near Ambleside, currently closed for refurbishment until 2027 - visits are grounds and exterior only for now. Reviewers still rate the walk down to the lake and the setting highly, even without access inside.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The lakeside walk through the grounds down to Windermere - reviewers say it's worth the visit even with the castle itself closed.
Before you go
The interior is closed until 2027, and this isn't always reflected on Google Maps, so confirm before travelling; parking runs up to £10 for the full-day tariff if you don't have National Trust membership.
What visitors say
Wray Castle reviews · 4.1 / 5 across 5,707 Google reviews
A recurring theme across reviews is that Wray Castle's interior has been closed for an extended refurbishment, with visitors currently limited to the grounds, lakeside walks, and cafe.
Most still rate the setting on Windermere highly and enjoy the walks and coffee, though a couple mention pricey parking and disappointment at not being able to see inside the castle yet.
“Really lovely walk and great cafe. Castle was close for refurbishment which we knew ahead of visiting so would like to come back for the castle. Really lovely walk along the lake.”- Sophie Marshall, visitor review
Getting in - what National Trust says
Level access to the outside of the castle and level access to the food outlet; Blue Badge parking in the top car park and a disabled toilet near the cafe. An all-terrain mobility scooter is available for hire, with pre-booking advised. Steps and uneven terrain elsewhere on the site.
Taken from National Trust’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “I struck lucky with the information kiosk at the car park being open where the staff accepted card payments.” - Willow Tkw
- Facilities
- “It was mentioned as open on Google Maps, but it should have been 'Temporarily Closed' as only the grounds and cafe are open.” - Nelson Simon
Common questions about Wray Castle
Where is Wray Castle?
Wray Castle is in Cumbria, England, at Low Wray, Ambleside LA22 0JA.
Can you go inside Wray Castle?
At Wray Castle the grounds are open to visit but the castle interior generally isn't, under National Trust. Check the official site for current access before you travel.
Can you stay overnight at Wray Castle?
Yes - Wray Castle offers bookable accommodation, so you can spend the night in the castle itself or within its grounds. See the Castles You Can Sleep In guide for the full list and how each stay works.
What is the highlight of visiting Wray Castle?
The lakeside walk through the grounds down to Windermere - reviewers say it's worth the visit even with the castle itself closed.
Is Wray Castle a ruin or still intact?
Wray Castle is largely intact - Victorian mock-Gothic castle; closed for refurbishment until 2027.
