Jubilee Summer House

In the afternoon we decided to go to Lowther Castle and Gardens for a walk.  A number of years ago we took advantage of a conducted tour of the grounds before any restoration work began.  It was strange coming across fountains and pools in deep dark forest.  Also there would be plants remaining from when the gardens had been looked after.  I clearly remember a clump of Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale) still surviving deep in the woods.

Things are changing rapidly.  After a coffee and cake in the old stables looking out over the stable yard, we used our seasons passes and went into the gardens.  Eventually we wandered on to the escarpment walk.  The summer house built to mark Queen Victoria's jubilee still survives and is being restored.

Recent Royal connections are that this is the place our current Queen and Prince Phillip used for picnics when he was competing in the carriage driving at the Lowther Show.

The extra shows the view they would enjoy.  The line diagonally in the foreground is the edge of the limestone outcrop.