Muncaster Castle and Gardens :

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Muncaster Castle, dominating the River Esk, has been of strategic importance since Roman times, and has been home to the Penningtons since 1208.

image of Muncaster Castle
The pele tower stands on Roman foundations and was extended through the ages into the Castle of today. In 1862 the fashionable architect Anthony Salvin was engaged by the fourth Lord Muncaster to rebuild the house. Salvin took the courtyard, built by the first Lord Muncaster, and converted it into the present drawing room.

The tower at the SW end was matched by Salvin with the NW tower. He did a good job, with towers, battlements and mullioned and transomed windows.

In 1208 the land was granted to the Pennington family, and it is still their home. Ledgend has it, only due to the magical ‘Luck of Muncaster’, a glass drinking bowl belonging to Henry VI. He gave it to the family in 1464 declaring that as long as it remained intact, Penningtons would live and thrive at Muncaster.

image of rhododendrons at Muncaster Castle

A tour of the house may be made with audio commentary, narrated by Patrick Gordon-Duff-Pennington, the present owner, describing what can be seen in the Great Hall, the Library, the Dining Room, the Drawing Room and the Bedrooms.

Spring and early summer bring a riot of colour to the 77 acres of woodland gardens where the rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas are at their best. Summer flowering herbaceous plants and autumn fruiting trees and shrubs will provide colour throughout the seasons. The Terrace Walk, described by John Ruskin as ‘The Gateway to Paradise’, offers spectacular views of the Eskdale Valley and the Lakeland fells, with their constantly changing moods. A specimen of Nothofagus obliqua is the tallest example in Britain.

image of an aerial view of Muncaster Castle and gardens

In the Meadow Vole Maze you can imagine being a meadow vole, just two and a half inches tall, living in meadowland, where danger lurks at every turn. In the Meadow Vole Maze the secret world of wildlife makes a wild experience. You may meet Max Meadowvole, who will help you get home safely.

The plant centre offers the largest collection of hardy rhododendrons in the North, and a convenient mail order service is available. In the old stables area is the Stables Cafe, serving meals and snacks, and the Carriage Gift Shop, selling interesting and unusual gifts. The Castle is licensed for civil weddings.

Muncaster Castle has its very own heronry below the bank by the cannon. Every afternoon, from about 4.00pm the wild herons come and get fed on the Cannon Bank in front of an audience.

image of herons

Go to Muncaster Castle Gardens Photo Gallery

3 interesting random facts about Muncaster Castle

The Castle has been built onto, extended and refurbished with almost every era in history, as with many great buildings.
The visitor to Muncaster today will find 77 acres of the most tranquil historic gardens in Cumbria.
The Hawk and Owl Centre is home to a diverse range of birds for you to wonder at and enjoy.

22 March – 2 November 2025 admission times

Castle: 12noon – 4pm. Closed some days for private functions
Gardens: 10.30am – 6pm
Hawk & Owl Centre: 10.30am – 4.30pm
The Stables Cafe: 10.30am – 4.30pm
11.30am World of Owls in the Hawk & Owl Centre
2pm Sky Hunters on the Flying Meadow (dog seating area available)
4pm Falcon at Four on the Flying Meadow (dog seating area available)

2025 – Admission prices:

www.muncaster.co.uk/admission

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