Ravenglass was part of the principality of Rheged until it was eventually absorbed into the larger Kingdom of Strathclyde, and was for hundreds of years was passed back and forth between the English and Scots Kings, often the local inhabitants were never sure whether they were English or Scots.

In the year 1208 AD an innovation of lasting importance to Ravenglass occurred. The granting by King John to Richard de Lucy Earl of Egremont a Charter for a Market at Ravenglass on Saturdays and a yearly fair on the festival of St. James, August 5th. The fair became so big it was spread over 3 days by 1675 AD and included a horse race along the foreshore. The Fair eventually became a sports event known locally as St. Jam Races the last being held in 1900. Today the Charter Fair is again in existence thanks to the vicar Rev Malcolm Stonestreet who after a 95 year gap resurrected the Charter Fair with the help of a committee of local residents, though the fair is now held in the latter half of June.

The Pennington Hotel was built in early 1660’s and has been completely modernised, and refurbished in

Muncaster Castle is situated approximately one mile from the Hotel. It won Large Visitor Attraction of the Year Cumbria Awards for Excellence 2006 and was Highly Commended in the 2006 North West Regional Awards.
The Castle has elegant rooms, historic furnishings, superb works of art, yet is still a lived in home.

The Gardens contain plants from all over the world with shrubs from the Sino-Himalayan region, nestling in the wild splendour of over 70 acres of Gardens with the dramatic backdrop of the glorious Lakeland Fells. It has a spectacular display of rhododendron, camellia and azalea. Ruskin called it the Gateway to Paradise.

Muncaster is the home of the World Owl Centre which has over 45 species of owls, from the tiny Pygmy Owl to the huge European Eagle Owl.

There is plenty to do for all the family with a Meadowvole Maze, Muncaster Interactive and Plant Centre, which stocks over 250 varieties of shrubs along with an extensive herb collection and seasonal plants.