The first thing you should know is that Sizergh is pronounced Size Er. Sizergh is an ancient Scandinavian name meaning 'summer pasture or dairy farm'.

Sizergh, near Kendal

Sizergh, near Kendal, has been the home of the Strickland family since 1239 (yep, you read that correctly) and they donated it to the National Trust in 1950 (while retaining the right to continue to occupy part of the house). The house is a fascinating reflection of the varying fortunes of the family over the centuries and it's easy to see that the house has essentially been, first and foremost, a family home.

The house was open during our visit, about 8 rooms in total, photography not encouraged. The Elizabethan Inlaid Chamber is the jewel in Sizergh's crown and is probably one of the finest panelled rooms ever made in England - you'll just have to take my word for it (or click the link). 🙂

The seven-hectare garden is absolutely beautiful - from the formal fruit wall to the wilder landscape of the limestone rock garden. The kitchen garden provides fresh, seasonal produce for the café.

  • Pears on the wall
  • Grapevines on the wall

We were at Sizergh for a little under 3 hours and barely scratched the surface of the estate. Dogs are welcome around the estate but not in the house or garden. There are picnic spots around the grounds and a quiz available for children to discover the family secrets.