Muncaster Castle

About the museum

Muncaster Castle stands above the River Esk near Ravenglass and has belonged to the Pennington family for more than 800 years; the earliest firm record is a land grant to Alan de Penitone in 1208. The site may have Roman origins, and the oldest parts of the present building include the Great Hall and a pele tower added in the 14th century.

According to tradition, Henry VI took refuge at Muncaster after the Battle of Hexham in 1464 and left a Venetian glass bowl, the Luck of Muncaster, with Sir John Pennington; the family is said to prosper as long as it stays unbroken. The castle also tells the story of Tom Fool, a 17th-century jester whose portrait hangs there. Between 1860 and 1866 the architect Anthony Salvin remodelled the house for the Lords Muncaster, giving it much of its present appearance, and the estate passed to the Ramsden family in 1917.

Today visitors tour the ground-floor and first-floor state rooms on their own, including the library, drawing room and tapestry room, with curators giving daily talks. The grounds cover 77 acres of woodland and gardens with a large rhododendron collection started after the First World War. Other attractions on the estate include a hawk and owl centre with daily flying displays and the Weapons Hall.

Highlights

• State rooms with the library, drawing room and tapestry room
• The Luck of Muncaster, a Venetian glass bowl
• Portrait of the jester Tom Fool
• 77 acres of gardens with a rhododendron collection
• Hawk and Owl Centre with daily flying displays
• Weapons Hall with have-a-go activities

Permanent exhibition

• The castle state rooms – Self-guided tour of the family home with paintings, textiles, furniture, the Luck of Muncaster and the portrait of the jester Tom Fool.

Founded

1258

Operated by

Private (Pennington family)

Admission & discounts

The main-season prices run from 21 March to 23 October 2026; the castle pass includes the gardens, the Hawk and Owl Centre and activities. Tickets are sold online and at the gate, and booking in advance is recommended. Members show their membership card to get a wristband. Dog tickets are bought on arrival at each attraction. Family tickets are not mentioned.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Most areas have step-free access. Wheelchair and scooter users can reach the ground-floor state rooms, but the first floor is not accessible because of narrow corridors. The main paths are paved or gravel, while garden paths further out are narrower, steeper and more uneven. Disabled parking is in the Church Gate car park, about a third of a mile from the main car park. A mobility scooter can be hired for £5 and manual wheelchairs are free to borrow, both from the Hawk and Owl Centre and subject to availability. Accessible toilets are in the Stable Yard, the Information Centre at the main gate and the coach park. Assistance dogs may be allowed into the castle after talking to the castle team, but no dogs are allowed in the Hawk and Owl Centre.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

The estate has play areas and an Enchanted Trail for younger children, and the Weapons Hall offers have-a-go activities. Ticket offices can advise on paths suitable for pushchairs; the bluebell woods are steep and rough.

Getting there & parking

The sat nav postcode for the main car park is CA18 1RD. There is no taxi rank at Ravenglass station, so taxis such as Gosforth Taxis must be booked in advance. Walkers can follow the main road for about 1 mile on a pavement (20 to 30 minutes) or the Eskdale Trail, which passes the Roman Bath House.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Stables Cafe and gift shops are on the estate.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit