Acorn Bank | National Trust | Exploring Cumbria

From Father's Day 2023 with Tigger themed matching outfits and gifts to the early summer days of 2024, we've made the most of our National Trust membership to explore Acorn Bank.

This beautiful National Trust property is just down the road from us in Temple Sowerby just beyond Penrith. Read on to explore everything that this beautiful family friendly day out has to offer.

About Acorn Bank

Acorn Bank dates back to the 13th century, when the first owners (none other than the Knights Templar!) acquired the property. It was then owned by Knights of the Hospital of St John until 1543 when it was obtained by Thomas Dalston, a local landowner.

It remained in the family until the 1930s until it was bought by Dorothy Una Ratcliffe, the Yorkshire writer, traveller and art collector. She then gave the property to the National Trust in 1950 and in the 1990s the property began to be restored and opened to the public.

How to find Acorn Bank

Acorn Bank is nestled in the stunning Cumbrian countryside between Penrith and Brough, a short drive from the A66 and M6.

To find the car park, use this post code: CA10 1SP

Acorn Bank entry prices

As with all National Trust properties, entry is free for members. For non-members, entry to Acorn Bank costs:

• Adults: £9

• Children (5-15 years): £4.50

• Family: £22.50

• Family (1 adult + 2 children): £13.50

• Under 5: Free!

What's available at Acorn Bank?

The gardens

Within the boundaries of this 17th-century site are a variety of gardens for you to explore. Acorn Bank is home to the National Trust's largest herb garden with over 275 different varieties (be careful, some are poisonous!), fruit orchards, herbaceous borders, roses and climbing flowers, and so much more. Full of colour, and amazing scents, it's no wonder these gardens are what Acorn Bank is best known for.

The pond

As well as looking at the flowers, blossom in spring, and everything else they grow within the gardens, the small pond in the Acorn Bank gardens is a winner. The children loved looking for newts, tadpoles, dragonflies, and more around the lilypad covered pond on our second visit.

Woodland walks

The woodland walks at Acorn Bank are stunning. Our top highlights of the woodland walks included:

• Walking along the banks of the Beck, and seeing the water flowing through.

• Exploring the winding paths through the trees, and playing a bit of hide-and-go-seek.

• Breathing in the seasonal scents of wild garlic.

• Listening to the birds.

• Spending time trying to spot the flora and fauna on the scavenger hunt sheets provided by the National Trust team.

Working watermill

The watermill at Acorn Bank is open 11am - 3pm. Set on Crowdundle Beck, this old fashioned watermill has been partially restored, and allows you the chance to see the mill in action. They also sell their own flour on site, so you can take a little taste of Acorn Bank home with you.

Grind and buy flour

At the watermill children are offered the chance to grind their own flour, which all of our older children had a go at doing and loved. If you fancy giving it a try, you can also purchase bags of the Acorn Bank flour. The proceeds go to a charity set up to help keep the watermill running.

Play areas and activities for children

From an amazing selection of various fairy doors and windows set into the trees along the woodland walk, to wind chimes, and even some wooden playhouses there are so many areas offering children a whole lot of fun at Acorn Bank.

Building dens

On our second visit to Acorn Bank we discovered a small clearing beyond the garden walls decorated with National Trust bunting. Large fallen branches scattered around with study tree trunks made a fabulous starting point for building dens. Something our children absolutely love.

The gypsum mine

I’m not going to lie, this was a bit of a let down when we actually got there. It is set up as a wildlife haven, rather than an actual mine to explore. The metal miner silhouette explains the mine history, and some old mining carts are the only real reminder the mine existed.

To be honest the best part of going to the mine is the stunning woodland walks to get there, listening to the sounds of the birds tweeting.

FAQs about our family days out

Is it suitable for children?

This site is 100% a family-friendly day out, with activities and play areas suitable for children of varying ages. Acorn Bank are well prepared for children to explore, from discovering the fairy doors to climbing inside the old hollow tree to the scavenger hunts they provide and so much more.

Can you take dogs to Acorn Bank?

You are able to take your dog to Acorn Bank, however it's important to note that facilities are limited. You can take your four-legged friend around the car park, the countryside estate and within the woodlands. However only assistance dogs are allowed in the watermill and walled gardens areas.

Is Acorn Bank worth the money?

I 100% think that a visit to Acorn Bank is well worth the money, even if you don't have a National Trust membership. Being able to visit for free with a membership is better though, so I recommend investing!

Did you know? The National Trust has over 500 places you can access with your membership, from properties to car parks where you can park for free too. You only need to visit one property every 6 weeks or 2 car parks per month for the membership to pay for itself.

Is there anywhere to eat?

You have two options when visiting Acorn Bank. First, as always, you can bring a picnic and use one of the picnic benches to enjoy a meal made at home.

Don't forget to leave no trace. As with every outdoor space you visit, it is important you don't leave rubbish behind, so take it home with you!

Alternatively, there is a café on site. The café is open Thursday-Monday (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays). 10:30-4pm. Be sure to head over before 3pm if you want to eat a café meal, as that is when they take last orders.

Are there facilities available?

In the courtyard adjacent to the café is an accessible toilet, and inside the café building you will find men's and women's toilets. Additionally, there are changing facilities available in the courtyard.

We absolutely loved our day out at Acorn Bank. There was so much we didn’t have a chance too explore and I can't wait to head back for another visit to enjoy everything else that this National Trust property has to offer.

For more blog posts about exploring the beautiful outdoor spaces the Lake District has to offer, check out my days out and travel blog. Have you found somewhere amazing to visit in the U.K.? We love to explore new spots, so feel free to share in the comments below.

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