Easter officially marks the time when Dalton Castle officially opens its gates for free.

Every Saturday from March 30 to September 28, the volunteers of the Friends of Dalton Castle will open the doors allowing people to explore.

The 14th-century tower was once the manorial courthouse of Furness Abbey and was given to the National Trust by the 8th Duke of Buccleuch in 1965.

The building would have contained not only a courtroom and one or two other rooms in which the business of the lordship was transacted, but also a gaol, guardrooms and stores.

After the dissolution of the abbey in 1537, the castle continued as a courthouse for over 300 years.

It was owned at first by the Crown and then by the Dukes of Albermarle, the Dukes of Montagu, and the Dukes of Buccleuch.

The interior has had alterations - the last  being in 1856 when three upper floors, accessible from a stone spiral staircase, were superseded by a single upper room and an additional stairway.

History buffs can wander the ancient halls between 2pm and 5pm every Saturday.