Under new management

The Yellow Earl gets its name from the 5th Earl of Londsale, Hugh Cecil Lowther.

 

He inherited enormous wealth, derived from Cumberland coalmines, and owned 75,000 acres of land.

 

He had residences at Lowther Castle, at Whitehaven Castle, Barleythorpe and Carlton House Terrace, London.

 

He devoted his wealth to a life of ostentatious pleasure.

 

Lord Lonsdale was known as the Yellow Earl for his penchant for the colour.

 

He was a founder and first president of the Automobile Association (AA) which adopted his livery.

 

He was an avid sportsman and bon vivant and was known by some as "England's greatest sporting gentleman". He was a founding member and first president of the National Sporting Club and he donated the original Lonsdale Belts in 1909 for the boxing championship trophy. His name was later given to the Lonsdale clothing brand of boxing garments and the Lonsdale cigar size. 

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Because of his extravagance Lord Lonsdale was forced to sell some of his properties including Whitehaven Castle. His free-spending had largely wrecked the estate, and his heir, his brother Lancelot, the 6th Earl was forced to auction off the contents of Lowther Castle in 1947.