Muncaster Castle

The Castle, believed to be standing on Roman remains, is a key part of the regions history. Whilst the Pennington family have recorded evidence of it being their home since 1208, some records go back further suggesting that the family have been here since at least 1026.

Muncaster is one of Britain's most haunted castles.

Paranormal researchers often come to the Castle to seek rational explanations of the strange happenings, without success.

Many tales revolve around Tom Fool, a powerful force at Muncaster.

Tom is rarely seen, but his spirit continues to play tricks on people at Muncaster

Sizergh Castle
Sizergh has been associated with the Strickland family since 1239, when the heiress Elizabeth Deincourt married William de Stirkeland.The solar tower of the castle was a potent symbol of the Stricklands power during the Middle Ages, when they played a leading role in the wars with Scotland and France. Prominent as Catholic royalists throughout the 17th century, the Stricklands went into exile in 1688 with the court of James II at Saint-Germain in France

Blackwell Arts & Crafts
Blackwell is one of England's most important surviving houses from the turn of the 20th century. It was designed by M H Baillie Scott between 1897 and 1900, and is a superb example of Arts and Crafts movement architecture, with most of the original decorative interiors still intact. The house is of international importance, standing at the crossroads between Victorian and Modern architecture. It was given a Grade 1 listing in 1998.

Brantwood House, Coniston
John Ruskin was one of the greatest figures of the Victorian age, poet, artist, critic, social revolutionary and conservationist. After many visits to the Lake District from the age of five onwards, his affection for the Lakes was such that in 1871, when he was 52 he bought Brantwood on the shore of Coniston Water.

The house was filled with a collection of art treasures that Ruskin had aquired on his travels at home and abroad. There were Medieval manuscripts, Pre-Raphaelite paintings, Turner watercolours and his fabulous mineral collection.

Holker Hall House
A sixteenth century house. From then until the present day it has been the home of three families: Preston, Lowther and Cavendish. The Estate has never been bought or sold but has passed by inheritance through the family line, with each generation leaving its impressions, either by planning and altering the landscape or by changing the house by adding, re-facing, embellishing or even rebuilding - as was necessary after the disastrous fire of 1871.

Wordsworth Grasmere

Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of Dove Cottage, the Grasmere home of poet William Wordsworth. Wander through the Garden-Orchard Wordsworth called 'the loveliest spot that man hath ever found'. Uncover Wordsworth's radical and creative life story in the Museum and enjoy breathtaking views of Grasmere Vale from the new Viewing Station.