Muncaster Castle has closed its doors for the festive season following the success of its inaugural Christmas Festival, drawing more than 2,000 visitors eager to experience the enchanting atmosphere.
Located in Cumbria, Muncaster Castle transformed itself this December with its special event titled ‘A Very Merry Muncaster.’ Ewan Frost-Pennington, operations manager and member of the family residing at the castle for over 800 years, highlighted the joy this festival brought to the community. “This is our first time doing Christmas in over 10 years and it has been fantastic to see the support for it,” he said.
The festival offered myriad festive activities, including the enchanting Winter Wonderland maze, where families could interact with cheerful elves. These elves assisted children with writing their letters to Father Christmas, who personally greeted attendees and handed out gifts from his nice list.
Besides visits with Santa, the festival featured a delightful Christmas Trail winding through the castle’s wintery gardens, creating magical holiday memories for guests. The Stable Yard provided local artisans with the perfect venue for their diverse craft stalls, offering unique gifts and delightful festive treats.
One of the highlights was the Christmas Market, where visitors indulged beyond the usual holiday fare. The Hawk and Owl Centre showcased its skilled birds of prey through regular flying displays, captivating audiences with breathtaking aerial feats. The castle even hosted interactive sessions in The Weapons Hall, where attendees could try their hand at archery and sword skills.
Throughout the festival days, Muncaster Castle’s grand rooms dazzled with elegant holiday decorations, and guests could treat themselves to Afternoon Teas, savoring seasonal delights as they celebrated the holidays.
Local artists and musicians were integral to the event, enhancing the festival’s charm with festive brass bands and choir performances, creating warm and memorable experiences for everyone present. Frost-Pennington noted the festive spirit at Muncaster with enthusiasm, stating, “Who doesn’t love Christmas?! We enjoyed hosting Halloween so much last time, so we thought, why not give Christmas a go?”
The early success of this Christmas event has led Frost-Pennington and his team to envision making it an annual affair. He mentioned, “Based on people’s enthusiasm for it, we are looking to make it an annual event, growing it each year and adding more things. We have already got lots of ideas.”
With the festival bringing the community together and showcasing the castle’s picturesque setting, Muncaster Castle reminded attendees of the simple joys of the holiday season. The castle is now fully closed for the festive holidays but is expected to reopen for the New Year following maintenance work.
Fans of Muncaster Castle are encouraged to keep watch on the castle’s social media channels and website for updates on opening times for 2025, as the venue gears up for new seasonal festivities.
