Media release: July 7, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Muncaster Castle celebrates double win in prestigious tourism “Oscars”

Muncaster Castle is today celebrating an amazing double success at the prestigious Cumbria Tourism Awards 2022.

The popular Lake District attraction was awarded the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year prize and also won the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award at the showcase event.

Peter Frost-Pennington from Muncaster Castle, Gardens and Hawk & Owl Centre says: “We are just flabbergasted! It is fabulous to win these two wonderful awards. They are a credit to all the staff and volunteers who work at Muncaster. It’s a tribute to their enthusiasm and loyalty.”

Peter adds: “We work very hard in conservation and trying to do our best in green tourism and the environment, so it is really nice to have those efforts recognised in this way.

“We feel very humble to have won these awards against such brilliant competition and particularly want to thank all our hard-working staff, volunteers, supporters and our many visitors who have kept Muncaster going through the last few very difficult years.”

The Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award recognises tourism businesses committed to being sustainable, responsible and ethical in how they operate and interact with customers, the wider community and the environment. Muncaster was praised for demonstrating a proven commitment to sustainable best practice.

The Small Visitor Attraction of the Year Award recognises visitor attraction businesses attracting 75,000 or fewer visitors per year or employing less than ten full-time equivalent members of staff - providing truly memorable visitor experiences and demonstrating excellence across every aspect of the business. Muncaster was praised for carefully considering the needs of visitors with disabilities and the impact of their business on the environment and their links with the local community.

Cumbria Tourism Awards are known as the “Oscars” of Cumbria’s tourism industry. The awards ceremony was held last night (Wed, July 6) at Kendal’s Castle Green Hotel and saw 16 main awards presented to a diverse range of high achieving businesses from around the county. Many of this year’s winners will now also go on to represent the county nationally at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023.

Ends

Notes for Editors:

Picture Detail: Muncaster Castle, Gardens and Hawk and Owl Centre wins The Small Visitor Attraction of the Year Award presented by Janette McLaughlin from EWGA Wines. 

Left to right. Peter Frost-Pennington, Iona Frost-Pennington, Hannah Clapp, Stuart Lambourne, Janette McLaughlin

Photograph Jonathan Beckerbeckerphoto.co.uk

For more information and interviews contact Peter Marshall pmarshall@cumbriatourism.org

Tel: 07908 799623

1. Muncaster Castle has been the ancestral home to the Pennington Family since at least 1208 when ownership of the land was confirmed through a charter from King John.
2. The castle sits majestically in 77 acres of wild, woodland gardens with breathtaking views of the Lake District Fells, including Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain. The castle is home to fabulous collections of art, antique furniture & textiles.
3. Muncaster is home to the Hawk & Owl Centre which presents the amazing World of Owls flying display at 11.30am each day followed by the dramatic Sky Hunters display with free flying owls, eagles, falcons and vultures at 2pm. The wild herons are fed daily at 4pm.
4. General Muncaster opening times can be found at https://www.muncaster.co.uk/plan-your-visit/opening-times/