Brougham castle, Cumbria

Brougham Castle was founded by Robert de Vieuxpont in the early 13th century on the site of a Roman fort, it sits near the meeting point of the rivers Eamont and Lowther.

Originally, the castle consisted of a stone keep, with an enclosure protected by an earthen bank and a wooden palisade. In 1264 Robert de Vieuxpont's grandson, also named Robert, was declared a traitor and his property was confiscated by Henry III. Brougham Castle and the other estates were eventually returned to the Vieuxpont family, and stayed in their possession until 1269 when the estates passed to the Clifford family through marriage.

With the outbreak of the Anglo-Scottish Wars in 1296, Brougham became an important military base for Robert Clifford, 1st Baron de Clifford. He refortified the castle: the wooden outer defences were replaced with stronger, stone walls, and the large stone gatehouse was added. In 1300 Roger Clifford hosted Edward I at the castle. The second Roger Clifford was executed as a traitor in 1322, and the family estates passed into the possession of Edward II, although they were returned once Edward III became king. The region was often at risk from the Scots, and in 1388 the castle was captured and sacked.

Following this, the Cliffords began spending more time at their other castles, particularly Skipton Castle in Yorkshire. Brougham descended through several generations of Cliffords but by 1592 it was in a state of disrepair as George Clifford was spending more time in southern England. The castle was briefly restored in the early 17th century and James I was entertained there in 1617. In 1643, Lady Anne Clifford inherited the estates, including the castles of Brougham, Appleby and Brough, and set about restoring them. Brougham Castle was kept in good condition for a short time after Lady Anne's death in 1676; however, the Earl of Thanet, who had inherited the Clifford estates, sold the its furnishings in 1714. The empty shell was left to decay as it was too costly to maintain.
Brougham Castle ruin inspired a painting by J. M. W. Turner.

Opening Times

Opening days and times vary. Please check the website.

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Ticket Prices

Adults: £3.80
Children: £2.30
Concessions: £3.40
EH Member: Free
Family Ticket: £9.90

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Disabled Facilities

The site has good wheelchair access to entry point, toilet, shop and small introductory exhibition. There is a wheelchair route to the castle ruins, which enables visitors to make a circuit of the site and read the interpretation panels. The keep is not accessible to wheelchairs

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More Information

Telephone: 01768 862488

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