Country by the Castle brings Nashville sounds to Muncaster

Muncaster Castle has stood above the Esk valley near Ravenglass for centuries, but it is only recently that its grounds have rung to pedal steel and line dancing. Country by the Castle, the castle's own country music festival, has quickly found a devoted audience.

The first edition took place on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 June 2025, billed as Muncaster's first-ever country music festival. The Herdwick described it as blending Nashville-inspired sounds with Lake District scenery, and the bill included Katy Hurt, Jeorgia Rose, Robbie Cavanagh and Cumbrian act Mountain Ash, with Ags Connolly closing the weekend.

Tickets also gave access to the castle's gardens and Hawk and Owl Centre, with bird of prey flying displays and weapons hall activities, and there was the option of camping for the weekend.

The festival returned for its second year on 17 and 18 July 2026, and it grew. A second stage was added, and organisers said the focus would be on original music rather than tribute acts. Katy Hurt, Emilia Quinn and Outpost Drive headlined, with Katy Hurt returning for a second year, this time with a full band. Mountain Ash, Grace Price and other Cumbrian acts also played.

Away from the stages, festivalgoers could try line dancing workshops, back after proving popular in 2025, along with archery, axe-throwing, a shooting range and a mechanical bull.

The Herdwick reported afterwards that the festival had come back bigger and better, and the Ranch Stage host remarked that Muncaster definitely has some new super fans in the country world.

It is a lovely example of a historic estate finding new ways to welcome people in, and of the Cumbrian coast building its own place on the festival map.

The pairing works because Muncaster offers so much beyond the music. Families can spend the day in the gardens or watching the birds of prey before the evening sets begin, and for country fans from across the north, it offers a festival with real character in a part of Cumbria many have yet to explore.

Future dates and tickets will be announced through Muncaster Castle's website, which is the place to check for news of the next Country by the Castle.