THIS week I paid a visit to one of the Lake District's true hidden gems. 

Nestled in the countryside close to the small fishing village of Ravenglass, just south of Egremont, is Muncaster Castle. 

I was invited along by the staff at the castle to enjoy a trip back in time as they celebrated a week of medieval festivities. 

Throughout the summer half-term week, families and children flocked to the castle to enjoy everything from archery, jousting, and a performance from the castle's fools, a historical position that dates back centuries.

My first port of call was archery where I was greeted by archers in medieval attire. After a rather poor start I quickly developed some skills to take away should I ever try archery again, following the tips given to me by the trained staff. 

Whitehaven News: Children enjoying the battle reenactment Children enjoying the battle reenactment (Image: Newsquest)

Just to the right of the archery area was a play area that was filled with children who seemed to be truly enjoying their day out. Others meanwhile played on inflatable slides and bouncy castles which had been brought in as an extra treat for the medieval event. 

People could sit out in the sun and listen to live music, and then there was then the beer tent which stocked a wide range of beers, ciders, and spirits along with soft drinks and snacks for the younger audience. 

I was then whisked off to the first bird show of the day. At the start, the audience was warned to not move from their seats and duck, if necessary, as owls of all shapes and sizes swooped from their perches and we were given a brief lesson on each of the birds.

Whitehaven News: A bald eagle perches on the trainers hand at the bird show A bald eagle perches on the trainers hand at the bird show (Image: Newsquest) 

Afterward, I headed to the battlefield where children were put into teams and recreated the War of the Roses in a fun and interactive way. It was a history lesson that the young people will never forget. 

The jousting was a humorous experience as I was pulled along on a 'horse' attempting to hit the three targets along the track. 

I then attended the Fool's Show, hosted by the current and former fool of Muncaster, their jokes and wisecracks were thoroughly enjoyed by the audience and many people in the crowd were asked to join in. 

To end my day, I was taken along to the second bird show which was truly exceptional. 

The wildlife on display was jaw-dropping, with everything from bald eagles to vultures swooping through the skies. Whilst ambient music played, the sun shone, and the dramatic Cumbrian mountains stood in the background - a perfect moment!