Muncaster Castle

Afer sitting around all morning we decided to go somewhere - and we had some vouchers to use up which were running out!

So we chose Muncaster Castle - in south west Cumbria. It's about 2 hours' drive from here and we got there at about 3pm.

I was last here when I was about 10-15 years old, and all I could remember was the huge bamboo "trees" in the gardens, they were so tall and it was the first time I had seen bamboo growing and not just the sticks (I was expecting to see pandas, because they eat it right, but sadly none that day). So I was pleased to find that in fact the plants really are that tall! And there really is quite a bit of it at Muncaster!

We continued down to the duck pond and spoke to the fowl.

The main house was next; what a fantastic view from the front of the house! Sadly the inside failed to impress as much, although the audio tour was very good, read out by the family that lives there (although I couldn't imagine anyone actually living there, surely?)
Most memorable was the gold-leaf and leather wallcovering, and the reeds used to cover the walls in a corridor. Of course, Muncaster is known by ghosthunters and there was an emphasis on this aspect; enough to creep me out occasionally!

The Heron Happy Hour was due at 4.30 and we dutifully went outside to observe. What a backdrop! What a day! This was a lovely spectacle; herons nest in the trees here, the tops of which are in line with the level of courtyard out in front of the house. They come every day to get fed; there's also a family of buzzards which have caught on - so it can be quite entertaining!

After this, we went round to the Owl Centre - the doors were closed! But thankfully that was just the exhibition bit... we could still visit all the "inmates" in the aviaries behind. And what a fantastic variety of owls! I took some lovleyphotos, unfortunately I didn't take note of all their identities / species. We also took some lovely video, including a chick getting swallowed for tea.

After a quick visit to the gift shop we were getting kicked out so we headed to Keswick for chiops on the way home - and had to endure the loudest most gobby southerners discussing who's room had the worst facilities (yawn) ... But the chips were lovely!

PICS TO FOLLOW!!