SIZERGH CASTLE, SIZERGH, KENDAL, CUMBRIA, ENGLAND.
THE STRICKLAND FAMILY HAS LIVED AT SIZERGH FOR MORE THAN 750 YEARS, AND IT REMAINS THEIR HOME TODAY. SET IN LARGE, BEAUTIFULLY LANDSCAPED GARDENS AND BASED ON AN IMPRESSIVE 13TH CENTURY SOLAR TOWER.
SIZERGH CASTLE ISN’T REALLY A CASTLE AT ALL. ALTHOUGH IT HAS A LARGE DEFENSIVE SOLAR TOWER, A POTENT SYMBOL OF THE POWER OF THE STRICKLAND FAMILY THROUGHOUT THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD, IT IS REALLY JUST A GRAND COUNTRY HOUSE. PROMINENT PARTS OF THE HOUSE DATE FROM THE ELIZABETHAN, INCLUDING THE DARK WOOD PANELLED INTERIORS, AND GEORGIAN-ERAS.
THE HOUSE IS SET IN A LARGE COUNTRY PARK, THE FIRST, DRAMATIC, SIGHT OF THE BUILDING COMES AS YOU WALK ACROSS THE PARK FROM THE SOUTH. THE LONG WALK THROUGH THE GROUNDS, PASSING SOME LOVELY OLD TREES, GIVES YOU SOME IDEA OF THE FORMER WEALTH OF THE FAMILY THAT LIVED HERE.
MUCH HISTORY IS BOUND UP IN SIZERGH CASTLE, INCLUDING THE POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS TURMOIL OF THE 17TH AND 18TH CENTURIES. UNTIL THE END OF THE 18TH CENTURY, THE STRICKLAND FAMILY WERE DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THE EVENTS OF ENGLISH HISTORY. DESPITE HAVING A CENTRAL ROLE IN THIS TURMOIL, THEY MANAGED TO RETAIN OWNERSHIP OF SIZERGH CASTLE UNTIL THE 20TH CENTURY. THE FAMILY ‘GAVE’ THE HOUSE TO THE NATIONAL TRUST IN 1950, BUT NEGOTIATED A PRETTY GOOD DEAL. THEY CONTINUE TO LIVE THERE AND PUBLIC ACCESS IS RESTRICTED TO FOUR HOURS PER DAY, FIVE DAYS PER WEEK.
THE STRICKLAND FAMILY ARRIVED IN ENGLAND AS PART OF THE NORMAN CONQUEST, AND WERE GRANTED LAND IN CUMBRIA. SIZERGH CASTLE CAME INTO THEIR HANDS THROUGH MARRIAGE. THOMAS STRICKLAND CAME TO PROMINENCE DURING THE BATTLE OF AGINCOURT IN 1415, CARRYING THE FLAG OF ST. GEORGE (A GREAT HONOUR APPARENTLY). MORE IMPORTANTLY, STRICKLAND BROUGHT WITH HIM A COMPLEMENT OF ARCHERS. THE BOWMEN OF KENDAL WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE ENGLISH VICTORY AGAINST OVERWHELMING FRENCH ODDS.

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