Sizergh Castle

On my way up to Durham, I gave myself a good break from driving when I stopped to visit Sizergh Castle near Kendal. Originally a 60 foot high pele tower built to repel the Scottish raiders in the Medieval period, its name derives from the old Norse word "sigarith" which means a dairy farm. It is associated with the Strickland family, who descend from Sir William de Stirkeland, who acquired the castle by marriage to the heiress Elizabeth Deincourt in 1239. The Deincourts had been there since the 1170s when Gervase Deincourt had been given the estate by the first Plantagenet king, Henry II.

Over the centuries the original pele tower has had additions, notably the great Hall in 1450, and two wings (forming the courtyard of a defended manor house). The Great Hall was extended in 1770 and the house subsequently decorated externally in a Georgianized style.

I loved looking round, though sadly it was no photos inside as it belongs to the National Trust now. HERE is a link with further information and photographs. Interestingly there is a connection with the Sackville family, when Lady Edeline Sackville married Sir Gerald Strickland in 1890.

There was magnificent panelling in several rooms, notably one of the bedrooms - though I didn't admire it as long as I would have liked as the room had the most oppressive atmosphere with the ceiling feeling an inch above my head.

The first sight of the estate buildings.


A magnificent climbing hydrangea.

The beautiful castle and courtyard.






Part of the single long herbaceous border which I was very disappointed with, tbh.

Part of the biggest limestone garden owned by the NT.

One of the two lakes.

Isn't this beautiful? You wouldn't think little daisies would make SUCH a show en masse . . .


Looking at the castle from the steps to the lake.