Lowther Castle, Cumbria

Following consultation with Sheppard Robson Architects and Lowther Estates, the Lake District National Park Authority was asked to produce a brief for archaeological evaluation at Lowther Castle, in order to inform planning and listed building consent applications due to be submitted to the Lake District National Park Authority. In response to the brief, OA North produced a Project Design in accordance with which all work was carried out. The site of the proposed development lies at NGR NY 5220 2383, within the bounds of the ruined castle at Lowther. The castle is located to the south of Penrith, and lies between the villages of Great Strickland to the east and Askham to the west. The programme of archaeological evaluation allowed for the excavation of nine trenches. Five of the trenches (A, B, C, H and I) were positioned to the south of the extant castle or Lowther III (Smirke's Castle), within an area of disused chicken sheds, whilst the remaining four (D to G) were within the footprint of Lowther III. Trenches A, B, C, H and I were positioned to examine the presence or absence of archaeological remains that might be related to the preceding structures to Lowther III (Lowther I and II). Trenches D-G were positioned to examine the survival of both Lowther III remains and any earlier buildings relating to Lowther II.