Muncaster Castle is noted for its wonderful setting, its magnificent gardens and its splendid collections.
The impressive house stands on an outcrop of rock near the mouth of the River Esk with outstanding views of the western fells of the Lake District.
The oldest surviving part of the present structure, a late-medieval pele-tower to the east of the entrance porch, was built on Roman foundations. The pele-tower and the adjacent hall range was the home of the Penningtons, a powerful and influential west Cumberland family.
In the 16th century the house was extended and in 1780 Sir John Pennington modernised the building. Very little of this work remains as the 4th Lord Muncaster thoroughly remodelled the house in 1860 - 64, engaging the well-known architect, Anthony Salvin. Salvin's work left the building in its present form.
When the direct line of the Pennington family ran out in 1917 Muncaster Castle passed to Sir John Ramsden, the grandfather of the present owner. Sir John laid out the gardens and introduced works of art to add to the Pennington collection.
The house is approached on foot along a woodland drive. The rather austere building was constructed of pink granite rubble with red sandstone dressings.
The pele-tower commands a spectacular view over the fells.
All the rooms open to the public at Muncaster Castle are lived in by the family who take an active part in entertaining their visitors. The house contains many treasures including silver, fine furniture, exquisite needlework panels, oriental rugs and tapestries.
The Great Hall was created by Salvin on the site of a medieval hall. The 15th and 16th century religious wood carvings were introduced by Sir John Ramsden. The Octagonal Library which was created in late-18th century on the site of the medieval kitchen - later remodelled by Salvin who designed the wooden ribbed 'vault' and the neo-Jacobean panelling.
The Dining Room has late-17th century furniture and contains an unusual Ongley dinner-service from 1821 and was the most ornamental set of porcelain ever created by the Derby factory.
The staircase leads up to a corridor on the first floor. Several of the bedrooms have wooden panelling dating from the 16th or 17th centuries brought in by Sir John Ramsden. The bedrooms also have Elizabethan needlework panels.
The castle is possibly one of the most haunted places in England, so visit the Tapestry Room.
Muncaster Castle is set in 77 acres of woodland gardens with walks and spectacular views as well as an indoor MeadowVole Maze. In the grounds is an Owl Centre which contains a collection of owls from all over the world. Talks are given daily and weather permitting the birds are allowed to fly free.
