MUNCASTER Castle has been given an award by Cumbria In Bloom. 

The Cumbria Tourism Rose Bowl Visitor Attraction Gold Award was given to the team at Muncaster this month. 

This is for their work at preserving their natural, historic, gardens which have been a popular feature for decades. 

Hannah Clapp, head of experiences at Muncaster Castle, said: "Muncaster is very proud to have won the award, as it shows the amount of care and dedication that the whole team puts into the gardens.

"It's not just about how smart they look, it's all about the conservation work that goes on behind the scenes. 

"So our Hawk and Owl Centre Team are passionate about wildlife conservation and they do a lot of work at looking into the different creatures we've got living in the gardens. 

"They monitor the bats, wild owls, and small mammals that live in the gardens. The gardeners then take this information into account and preserve the habitats within the gardens, whilst making the place look suitable and presentable for visitors. 

"I think this will help attract more visitors to the castle, people love wandering around our gardens as Muncaster has something for everyone. Whether it's a corporate event, a tour of the castle, a holiday, or even just a family day out everybody enjoys walking around the gardens. 

"The fact that they look so beautiful and showcase the West Cumbrian landscape is an asset to Muncaster, and it's all down to the hard work of the gardens and estate team, who are the unsung heroes of Muncaster. 

"The gardens are maintained all year round by a very hard-working estate team. 

"It's a testament to all of the staff and volunteers, whether it people working in the castle or our seasonal workers everybody helps to maintain the beautiful look of Muncaster. So this award is good news for the whole team here."