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Visitors invited to enjoy a Victorian Christmas tour of Muncaster Castle Muncaster Castle in the Western Lake District is inviting visitors to take part in a special Victorian Christmas tour on the 27th, 28th and 29th of December. Guests will be transported back to 1885 where they will be given a private tour of parts of the Castle by a group of ‘nineteenth century’ servants. The visit will include a chance to see the Castle decorated for Christmas and to enjoy mince pies and mulled wine in the candlelit dining room. The guests will also be treated to some Victorian gossip by Wilson the Butler, played by Iain McNichol, an historical interpreter. Peter Frost Pennington, whose family own Muncaster, says: “Muncaster looks particularly beautiful at Christmas and we thought these tours would be a good way for people to get an insight into Christmas in homes like this in the Victorian era, as well as finding out a bit more about the Castle itself. “In the nineteenth century servants in some of the big houses like Muncaster used to earn themselves some extra money by showing visitors around without the owner’s knowing. So while Lord Muncaster is still sleeping off the turkey and pudding, the servants will be leading these special Victorian Christmas tours of the Castle.” It was in the Victorian era that the Christmas celebrations we know today really became established. Queen Victoria’s German husband Prince Albert first made Christmas trees popular in Britain. By the 1880s the fashion was for increasingly larger trees crammed with decorations. It was around this time that it first became fashionable to eat turkey at Christmas. Prior to that most people in northern England would have eaten beef, while down south goose was the favourite. Christmas cards had really taken off in the previous decade when the introduction of the halfpenny stamp made postage cheaper. Muncaster Castle’s tradition loving Victorian butler is most unconvinced by all these new developments. The decade was also a period of change for Muncaster. The fifth Lord Muncaster finished the improvements made to the Castle during the latter half of the nineteenth century, by completing the Billiard Room in 1885. The exterior of the Castle has remained unchanged since that date. The Victorian Christmas tour will include the Billiard Room, which is often closed to the public to host private events. In Germany that year Gottlieb Daimler had been granted a patent for his engine design for a motor car, and Karl Benz had just produced his first ‘self-propelled carriage’. Mr Dunlop had just patented the first pneumatic tyre. These new transport opportunities were about to change the world for ever. However, Wilson is convinced that they are all just passing fads! The butler has the added irritation of having to listen to another new Christmas carol - Away in a Manger. He’s convinced it won’t catch on either. The tour tickets cost just £5 for adults and £3.50 for children. All participants must also have a ticket to the gardens which costs £5 for adults, £2.50 for children and family tickets cost £13.50 (for 2 adults and 2 children). Entrance to the gardens is free for children under five, but they must pay for the tour. The tours will take place at 4pm, 5pm and 6pm and advanced booking is essential. Call 01229 717614 during office hours to book tickets or email info@muncaster.co.uk.
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