Of the many treasures waiting to be discovered in the English Lake District, Lowther Castle is a particular gem. Built at the turn of the 19th century, on the site of two previous houses, the castle was a grand affair boasting a room for every day of the year. Its gardens were the envy of the north. But in 1957 the castle was demolished. Just the façade and outer walls remained standing and for over half a century, the place was empty – home only to chickens, pigs and the odd bat. The gardens were lost to wilderness.

Seventy years on from its demolition, Lowther Castle is now one of the most intriguing visitor attractions in the country. Indeed it was voted Large Visitor Attraction of the Year 2018 in the Cumbria Tourism Awards.