Muncaster Castle has been home to the Pennington family for 800 years. The lands of Muncaster were granted to Alan de Penitone in 1208 and fifty years later Gamel de Mulcastre built the castle there. Henry VI was a visitor at Muncaster in 1464 as Sir John Pennington offered him shelter on his return from the Battle of Hexham. In gratitude the King left his drinking bowl and said "that as long as it should remain quite whole and unbroken the Penningtons would live and thrive in the place". The bowl is still intact and the family continue to live at Muncaster.

The castle and grounds are a popular tourist attraction with an owl centre, maze and accommodation.