Rare chance to visit town's private castle
BBCA partially ruined castle is opening its doors to give people a rare chance to see it inside.
Cockermouth Castle in Cumbria is the private residence of Lord and Lady Egremont - John Max Henry Scawen Wyndham and his wife Caroline - and is not generally open to the public.
Cockermouth and District Civic Trust is holding three guided tours of the property, parts of which date back to the 12th century.
The building, on Castlegate, overlooks the River Derwent and there were fears it would be lost after it was damaged during Storm Desmond 10 years ago.
The 12th century gatehouse opens up to a courtyard where a house built in the 1800s stands - the home of Lord and Lady Egremont.
It also contains artefacts and archives including maps dating back to the 14th century.
Tours of the Grade I listed castle, scheduled for 13, 14 and 15 June, are free but must be booked in advance through Cockermouth Library from Saturday.
The Civic Trust warned tours are not suitable for everyone.
"Access to the castle Inner Bailey is not easy with steep steps and high drops, so all ticket holders need to be reasonably fit and flexible and wearing sensible footwear," a spokesman said.
Visitors can make a donation which will be split between the Civic Trust, Hospice at Home West Cumbria and the Friends of Cockermouth Hospital.