Photo: Jhsteel / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Acorn Bank Garden & Watermill is a Grade II listed historic building in Cumbria, cared for by the National Trust. Read about its history, architecture and gardens, plus how to visit and what's nearby.
About Acorn Bank Garden & Watermill
Acorn Bank Garden & Watermill stands just north of Temple Sowerby, near Penrith in Cumbria.
The walled garden contains over 250 varieties of medicinal and culinary herbs, sheltered by ancient oaks.
A restored watermill on the Crowdundle Beck still turns, powered by the stream that has driven it for centuries.
The National Trust has managed the property since 1950, when it was left to the organisation by Dorothy Una Ratcliffe, the writer and Yorkshire dialect poet who spent years restoring both house and grounds.
The property was known as Temple Sowerby Manor until the Trust reverted to its older name, Acorn Bank, in 1969.
Read more on WikipediaHistory of Acorn Bank Garden & Watermill
Dorothy Una Ratcliffe, a writer known for her poetry and prose in the Yorkshire dialect tradition, bought the house and restored its garden before leaving the estate to the National Trust on her death in 1950. The property was known as Temple Sowerby Manor for some years until the Trust restored its older name, Acorn Bank, in 1969.
Architecture of Acorn Bank Garden & Watermill
The watermill was built to harness the flow of the Crowdundle Beck and has been partially restored. It remains in working order rather than preserved as a static monument.
Worth knowing
Dorothy Una Ratcliffe, a literary figure of her generation who wrote within the Yorkshire dialect tradition, was instrumental in saving the property. She spent years restoring the grounds before gifting the estate to the nation.
Gardens & grounds at Acorn Bank Garden & Watermill
The walled garden combines physic and culinary herb beds with orchards of old English apple and pear varieties. Mature oaks and high walls provide shelter across the site.
Facilities
Plan your visit to Acorn Bank Garden & Watermill
Nearest station: Langwathby Rail Station (4.1 miles)
Places to visit near Acorn Bank Garden & Watermill
Ninekirks
View Ninekirks on heritage mapCountess Pillar
View Countess Pillar on heritage mapBrougham Castle
View Brougham Castle on heritage mapBrougham Castle
View Brougham Castle on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 5 miles of Acorn Bank Garden & Watermill there are 5 historic properties, including 2 historic buildings, across English Heritage, Churches Conservation Trust and Historic Houses sites.
Within 10 miles of Acorn Bank Garden & Watermill there are 13 historic properties, including 4 historic houses, 3 historic buildings and 2 castles, across English Heritage, Historic Houses and Churches Conservation Trust sites.
Within 20 miles of Acorn Bank Garden & Watermill there are 19 historic properties, including 7 historic houses, 5 historic buildings and 3 castles, across English Heritage, Historic Houses and Churches Conservation Trust sites.
Stay nearby
Make more of your visit with an overnight stay near Acorn Bank Garden & Watermill.
Find places to stay nearby Affiliate link. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.Facts
A working watermill and herb garden rescued and restored by a Yorkshire dialect poet, whose gift to the National Trust in 1950 has preserved the site for public access.
- Type
- historic building
- Location
- Cumbria, England
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