The "Glastonbury of children's playgrounds" is how one of the first visitors to the UK's largest wooden playground described the exciting new attraction.

More than 100 children and their parents were treated to a dragon garden party at Lowther Castle to celebrate the opening of the Lost Castle, an impressive wooden playground tucked away in the woodland of the castle's estate.

And it did not disappoint.

They arrived and were led through the twisted woods to the Lost Castle which doesn't reveal itself for a while.

Jennifer Middleton, of Lowther Castle, said: "It sort of built up the anticipation and when they saw the playground the first word I heard from a little boy was, 'It's epic!'.

"They were absolutely entranced. Another said, 'this is the Glastonbury of children's playgrounds.'

"They just loved it. The reaction was phenomenal. We've been building it and building it and I wasn't prepared for how touched I was going to be to see them climbing on it and having so much fun.

"The delight really exceeded everyone's expectations."

Castle owner Jim Lowther, who played in the woods there as a youngster, gave a horrid-histories inspired speech before the lucky children, who won tickets for the exclusive event, played for about an hour and a half.

They explored every nook and cranny of the playground which features a toddlers area with a sandpit, climbing walls, rope swings and assault courses.

They were then enticed away to the castle lawns for a giant water fight.

The structure - made from 11 miles of sustainably-sourced timber and modelled on the castle itself was the brainchild of Mr Lowther.

He said: "We wanted to create something remarkable, designed to delight children and grown-ups in equal measure.

"I’m astounded at how beautiful it is, nestled high in the treetops, overlooking the woodland planted by my father. The Lost Castle captures the spirit of Lowther and it will delight generations of children visiting the castle.

“With the creation of the Lost Castle, we are embarking on a new era and I hope to capture and share the magic of Lowther with generations of children to come.”

Helen Salmon and her husband Norman, who took their grandchildren six year-old Isabelle and nine-year-old Samuel Darley, got into character and had ago everything.

Helen, 64, of Appleby, said: "It was absolutely fantastic for the children. It really did capture their imagination and the setting is so magical. It was a unique experience."

The Lost Castle officially opens to the public at 10am on Tuesday (AUG 2) .