Muncaster Castle in the Western Lake District will host the third annual Taste Cumbria Christmas Fayre on Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8.

The Fayre, which will include around 40 stalls, will showcase some of Cumbria’s finest foods and produce.

There will also be cookery demonstrations from John Crouch, tastings, Christmas gifts and children’s crafts, walkabout entertainers, husky sled dogs, and Santa’s Grotto.

The Castle will also be open and decorated for Christmas.

The Fayre, which will be held in the Castle courtyard, will offer a variety of foodie treats including traditional hams, bacon and sausages from RB Woodhall, artisan cheeses, smoked foods, homemade cakes and jams, Grasmere Gingerbread, Sticky Toffee Pudding from Cartmell Village Shop and luxury Christmas hampers.

For people who want to indulge on the day, there will be a hog roast and a wide variety of local produce, including handmade chocolates, cakes and biscuits along with specialist coffees and delicious hot chocolate.

Grapevine will be giving advice and tastings from a range of fine wines and champagne and for beer lovers, there will be an opportunity to sample local ales from Hardknott Brewery.

For people who want to learn more about matching food and beer, there will also be a Beer Dinner in Muncaster’s drawing room on the evening of Saturday, December 7.

The meal combines a five-course Cumbrian menu with beers from Hardknott Brewery, and costs £45 per person. In addition to the food, there will be local arts, crafts and gifts including jewellery, books, cosmetics, hand crafted wood items and paintings.

Mary Houston, food tourism manager at Cumbria Tourism, said: “Muncaster is a wonderful location for the Taste Cumbria Christmas Fayre and I am sure that it will be a very popular event with both tourists and local residents.

“Taste Cumbria works hard to promote the best produce in the region and this event is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase Cumbria's great food and drink producers.”

The Castle and gardens will be open as normal during the Fayre, which takes place from 11am – 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. Entry costs £3 for adults and £1 for children, with a small additional fee for entry to the Castle itself.

For more information, and to book tickets, visit www.muncaster.co.uk.