'Temple Sowerby - Acorn Bank Garden'

Temple Sowerby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1SP. Tel: 017683 61893
Six miles east of Penrith on the A66.
Email: racorn@smtp.ntrust.org.uk

Location : Temple Sowerby / Culgaith
Map - Ordnance Survey - NY 616282

Renowned for having the North of England's largest collection of culinary and medicinal plants in a marvellous herb garden, Acorn Bank Garden really is a plant lover's delight. Two orchards, adjacent to the herb garden, contain a varied collection of rare and regional fruit trees, whilst in the Wild Garden, the Spring brings an abundance of daffodils and wood anemones.

English hops

There are a number of walks which enable visitors to take a gentle circular walk through the woodland and alongside the Crowdundle Beck. Features of the walk include a lovely pond and the old Acorn Bank Mill, which has recently been restored. A public footpath along the beck passes under the Settle Carlisle Railway at Crowdundle Viaduct on its way to Newbiggin.

The fine red sandstone house was once the local base for the Knights Templar, and is currently undergoing renovation, with the west wing being converted to National Trust holiday flats, and the rest being open to the public.

The name 'Acorn Bank', first recorded in 1597, refers to the ancient oak wood which shades the descent from the walled garden to the Crowdundle Beck. Acorn Bank occupies an exposed position in the foothills of the Pennines, yet has a delightful tranquillity. At the end of the drive is a giant sequoia, the Wellingtonia, planted soon after the tree's first introduction from the New World.

An information leaflet describing the gardens, and listing all the herbs and their medicinal uses, is available in the National Trust shop.

There is a National Trust Shop, a tea shop and there are interesting plants for sale.
The house and garden are owned by the National Trust

See National Trust handbook entry.

Aerial photo by Simon Ledingham.