Muncaster Castle, Cumbria

The spookiness really begins in earnest once up the staircase and on to the first floor. At the end of the corridor off the staircase is a portrait of Tom Skelton, Fool of Muncaster. After claiming to be the boyfriend of Heloise Pennington, daughter of the house in the 16th century, the local carpenter was decapitated by Tom while sleeping in the stables. The carpenter’s headless ghost has been seen roaming the castle seeking his lost love, and may be responsible for strange bumping noises on the staircase.

A little way back down the corridor the Tapestry Bedroom, the most haunted room of Muncaster Castle, is also subject to paranormal happenings. With dark tapestries clothing the walls and iron fire dogs shaped like the Devil’s heads, visitors often report a chilling feeling in the room. A child is frequently heard crying towards the window end of the room, and sometimes a lady is heard singing, comforting a sick child; footsteps can also be heard. If you’re feeling fearless it is possible to spend the night in this room, but be warned: once the alarms are set there is no escape until dawn!

If you’re interested in feathered inhabitants of the dark, the castle is also home to the World Owl Trust, a conservation organisation who stage flying displays featuring their wide variety of owls.

Useful Information

Terrain
Grounds are accessible for wheel chair users, although some woodland tracks are unsuitable. The ground floor of the castle is also accessible.

How to get there
By car: Muncaster Castle is situated on west Cumbria’s main coastal road, the A595, 20 miles south of Whitehaven.
By public transport:
The Ravenglass railway station is 1 mile from Muncaster.

Refreshments
Creeping Kate’s Kitchen in the castle stables serves a wide selection of home-baked cakes, snacks and meals using local produce.

Map
Ordnance Survey Landranger Map 96.
Grid Ref: SD 103 963

More Info
Muncaster Castle
Ravenglass CA18 1RQ
01229 717614
www.muncaster.co.uk
Opening times vary; check website for details. Adults £7.50, children £5.50, family £24. Grounds and Owl Centre open daily in Nov and Dec from 11am-4pm.

World Owl Centre
www.owls.org

The Darkest Muncaster event sees the house and much of the grounds lit up and turns the dark evenings into a magical winter experience. From the last week of Oct and weekends in Nov and Dec, dusk to 9pm.