Sizergh Castle

We arrived to Sizergh (pronounced "Sizer") Castle half an hour before the castle opened, so we began our visit with the gardens. Kassie had a fine time exploring the limestone rock garden, truly impressive with its springs and pools, plants and meandering pathways. We managed to pull her away to take in the beauty of the adjoining wildflower garden before walking around the lake and visiting the rose garden. The weather was far from settled so we passed on the opportunity to explore the ancient woodlands.

The castle itself dates from the Middle Ages. The oldest part is the central block, originally a medieval Great Hall with an adjoining mid-fourteenth century solar tower. Home to the same family, the Stricklands, for more than 750 years, Sizergh's lands were originally the property of King Henry II. He gifted the site to Gervase Deincourt in the 1170s. It passed to the Stricklands when a Deincourt heiress married a Strickland in 1239.

Most impressive are the series of oak-panelled rooms and the Inlaid Chamber with its ornate plaster ceiling. Family portraits and oak furniture further enhance the castle's interior. A medieval lady ghost is associated with the castle but she failed to make her presence known. Kassie was disappointed.

Date of Our Last Visit: August 2004