Route: Muncaster Castle
Area: South Western Lake District
Date of walk: 18th August 2016
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 6.0 miles
Ascent: 600 feet
Weather: Mostly sunny, very warm, hazy
Muncaster Castle is set in a wonderful position amidst 77 acres of historic gardens with views to the Scafells, and a visit here could easily occupy a full day as there’s so much on offer. As an added bonus there are numerous walking opportunities incorporating a visit to the castle
We parked in the car park opposite the castle grounds and as luck would have it we arrived just as the 11.30am display by the Hawk and Owl Centre was due to start. It was a thrill to see several magnificent owls at close quarters
After the display was over we walked through the castle grounds to join a path running beside the River Esk which flows into the nearby Irish Sea and is tidal along this stretch. The riverside section was about one mile in length (though this can easily be extended as a glance at the OS map will show) but for us it was time to head inland through fields and woodland back to the castle. Despite the beauty of the surroundings, and the fact that it’s the height of the holiday season, we only saw a small handful of other walkers
As we arrived back at the castle, and by another slice of luck, the 2pm display by the Hawk and Owl Centre was due to start. This is held in a different location and with different birds and was just as enjoyable as the first display. After the end of it we walked through the grounds back to the start, conscious that we’d only scraped the surface of this wonderful place, but we’ll be back for another visit
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Entrance to Muncaster Castle
We hurried along the long entrance drive just in time to see the display of owls…
Tawny owl - well named as ‘Sage’
The eyes have it - a burrowing owl. There are two of them, I’m not sure if this is Linford or Christie
Cavalli the Verreaux’s Eagle Owl - these birds are capable of taking a monkey with their massive talons
Whippet the Boobook owl
On our way to the start of the walk we made a detour along the half mile Terrace…
Western Lakeland fells seen from The Terrace
It’s time to be getting on with the walk so we return the way we’d come
We pass by the castle and head down a woodland track…
The River Esk comes into view and we descend to the path along the bank
Looking back to Lakeland
St John’s Church, Waberthwaite
We took a short diversion to the Ravenglass path (not accessible at high tide) for a view along the Esk
We head away from the river now, past Newtown Knott
Looking back
Eskmeals Viaduct
We follow the path towards Newtown
Looking across to Drigg Dunes
Beyond Newtown we follow a track through the woods…
Approaching the entrance to Muncaster Castle for the second time today
…and for the second time today we hurry along the entrance drive in order to catch the 2pm display by the Hawk & Owl Centre
We arrive just in time to see the start of the display - this is Mulberry the Barn Owl
Nutmeg, a Lanner Falcon with its hood on - this keeps the bird in a calm state
Unhooded and ready for action, which was far too quick for me to capture on camera
Yellow-billed kite - the last of a small sample of the wonderful birds to be seen here
We walk round the perimeter of the castle
Views of Lakeland from The Cannon Bank…
I didn’t notice at the time, but that looks like a buzzard overhead
Wildlife pond
We’d rushed along here earlier to get to the owl displays, now we could return at a more leisurely pace and admire the planting
A castle, gardens, wildlife, views of lakeland, a riverside stroll, a walk in the country - these all added up to a perfect day
