After staying the night in a fun and quirky camping pod at Eskdale Campsite, we headed off to Muncaster Castle to explore the grounds.  We managed to find a 20% discount voucher online, although if you can’t find one, they offer 15% discount if you book online with them, even on the day of entry.

We parked in the free car park, use postcode CA18 1RD in your sat nav.  And bought our tickets for the day.  We decided not to go into the castle, as our children are young and most likely not as interested in the history of it as we might be!

Starting with the fairy trail, the kids enjoyed stepping stones, a mini wooden castle, hiding in the bamboo, mini obstacle courses and more.  There were plenty of fairy doors and wooden carved toaststools to discover.

Next they had a run around the playgrounds and open fields before we headed into the 30 minute Owl Display in the Hawk and Owl Centre, which is included in the ticket price.

After this we wandered freely throughout the expansive grounds, taking in views of the Lake District soaring peaks (including Scafell Pike).  The gardens are amazing, and at this time of year (early May), there were beautiful bluebells and amazingly colourful azaleas and rhododendrons flowering.  The half mile long Terrace is a must do.

We found the indoor, interactive MeadowviewVole Maze, where children can experience life as a vole!  It was a little scary in places for our young children, but we learnt a lot about Voles!

Lunch was in Creeping Kate’s cafe in the old Stables and hit the spot perfectly.  WE had another play in the playgrounds, climbed a tree and did the fairy trail one more time before heading home.

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