Guests receive free entry to Muncaster’s 70 acres of gardens, the World Owl Centre and Meadowvole Maze, and discounted entry to the mediaeval castle, home of the Pennington family.
Described as the ‘Gateway to Paradise’ by John Ruskin, Muncaster gardens offer over 70 acres of wild beauty.
The spectacular views of the Lakeland Fells act as backdrop to the rare and unusual plants in the Himalayan Garden, the yew pillars on the Georgian Terrace Walk and the rugged charms of Church Wood, home to a colourful collection of Japanese maples. The landscaped areas, first planted in the 1780’s, are contrasted by the wild woods, home to over 1500 species of rhododendrons.
The Victorian Walled Garden, recently renovated, hosts a kitchen garden, a carefully researched herb and physic garden and a newly opened Plant Centre. Our propagation programme enables preservation of the plant collection by regeneration from original stock and gives visitors the chance to purchase some of Muncaster’s more unusual species.
Nearby, a miniature railway, ‘L’al Ratty’, travels through seven miles of beautiful countryside, ending its journey at the visitor centre in Eskdale at the foot of Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain. Visitors looking for an action packed holiday can enjoy superb fell walking, dedicated cycle routes, horse riding, golf and fishing.