The house from a circa 1908 postcard
Built / Designed For: James Dawson
House & Family History: Wray is most famous today because of a summer holiday spent by the 16-year-old Beatrix Potter here in 1882. It’s hard to believe that Potter wasn't influenced by her magical stay at Wray Castle when she bought nearby Hill Top (also owned by the National Trust) in 1905 with the royalties from her first book, “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.” After its acquisition by the National Trust in 1929, the house was let as a youth hostel. Then, between 1931 and 1951, Wray Castle served as the headquarters of the Freshwater Biological Association. From 1958 to 1998 the house became a college of marine electronics, training men as Merchant Navy radio officers. In 2011 the National Trust opened Wray Castle, without any furnishings, as a visitor attraction.
John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. II, p. 148, 1853.
House Listed: Grade II*
Park Listed: Not Listed
Past Seat / Home of: James Dawson, 1845-75. Edward Preston Rawnsley, 19th century. Sir Robert Noton Barclay, until 1929.
Current Ownership Type: The National Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction
House Open to Public: Yes
Phone: 01539-433-250
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Historic Houses Member: No