Muncaster Castle west front, c1955
Reproduced courtesy of Francis Frith.

Many of the commercial links on my “Around-England” sites are there because I earn commission from them. I never apologise for that as like everyone else I need an income. However, I’m happy also from time to time including links to businesses from which I receive no commission when I feel they deserve special recommendation. This is one of those times.

During a long career I’ve spent much of my time out and about around the UK and further afield, staying overnight in everything from country village pubs and b&b acommodation to five star hotels. Rarely, however, have I experienced B&B to the standard of Muncaster Castle “Coachman’s Quarters”. I was welcomed warmly by the ladies in the office, and having been shown around and booked my room I drove on to Egremont, Whitehaven and Workington before returning to Muncaster in the evening.

The room itself, with en suite shower room, was comfortable and scrupulously clean (and with a plentiful supply of tea and coffee – a key point with me). The substantial cooked, “full English”, breakfast with lots of options was just what I like when away from home. The accommodation can also be booked for self-catering, and there was a well-equipped kitchen and dining area just down the corridor from my room. I could have used if I’d wanted (and had the food with me). My preference though was to sit back with a book in the comfortable armchairs of the spacious lounge which, being a winter night with few people travelling in this area, I had entirely to myself.

The castle and gardens are not open to visitors at this time of year, so in the morning before heading south to my next appointment I did a small detour down to the coast to visit the famous Ravenglass and Eskdale narrow gauge railway. Sadly, being out of season there was not a puff of smoke or jet of steam to be seen but it was pleasant to cast my mind back to that first visit as a child almost sixty years ago and a later visit in my early twenties to introduce my fiance to this less well known part of the Lake District National Park.

Well that’s enough maudlin diversion; let’s get back to today! If you’re en route to the West Cumbrian coast or visiting the Western Lakes you’ll find it hard to get better b&b than the Coachman’s Quarters at Muncaster Castle.