Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass, Cumbria, England

The following is from the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.

Gardens with 18th-century or earlier origins including a prospect terrace of 18th-century date, 19th- and early 20th-century pleasure grounds with a rhododendron collection, and parkland of 16th-century or earlier origins. The gardens include features designed to take advantage of views of the Esk Valley and the mountains.

DESCRIPTION

LOCATION, AREA, BOUNDARIES, LANDFORM, SETTING

The Muncaster Castle estate is situated to the east of Ravenglass and to the north and west of the River Esk. The land rises to the east and north from the river valley and coast. The site, which occupies about 100 hectares, stretches from the banks of the Esk which forms the boundary on the south and east sides, to the A595 and Fell Lane, which form the northern boundary. The northern boundary is largely fenced and the western boundary is marked by the Barrow/Carlisle railway line. The setting is rural with the Esk estuary area and Ravenglass to the west, and the Esk valley, with mountainous areas beyond, to the south and east.

REFERENCES

F O Morris, A Series of Picturesque Views 3, (1866-1880), pl 17

Country Life, 87 (8 June 1940), pp 570-574; (15 June 1940), pp 592-595; (22 June 1940), pp 612-616

N Pevsner, The Buildings of England: Cumberland and Westmorland (1967), pp 165-166

Muncaster Castle Restoration Management Plan, (Land Use Consultants (LUC) 1994)

Maps

Reproduced in LUC 1994: County Map of Cumberland, 1774

C Greenwood, Map of the County of Cumberland, 1823

OS 6" to 1 mile: 1st edition surveyed 1867

    2nd edition published 1900

Archival items

Wash drawings, sketches and photographs (private collection)

Details of photographs from 1866 onwards, estate papers and their repositories, and selected extracts from these papers are given in LUC 1994.

Additional information from John Borran

Description written: July 1997

Amended: July 1998

Edited: March 1999