With its towers and battlements, this Victorian-folly castle in 15 acres of grounds between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District looks imposing yet 'you actually feel like it is your castle'. 'Full of charm and character', it offers a warm welcome, and has 'exceptionally attentive and friendly staff'. Owner Wendy Bennett, together with her late husband, Simon, furnished the huge rooms – wood panelling, ornate ceilings – in a grandly shabby, homely style adding a personal touch. Family photographs and cushion-heaped window seats complement the antiques. It is very family friendly, with everything from baby monitors to dressing-up clothes. 'Comfortable rooms' in the castle might feature turrets for wardrobes, floor-to-ceiling Gothic windows, a four-poster or Victorian chaise longue. They are eccentrically furnished with sale-room finds, bold wallpapers, sumptuous bedding, towels and robes. Bathrooms are huge, some with a roll-top bath. Try the castle's version of afternoon tea, where savoury treats replace finger sandwiches, and its own gin. For dinner, a set-price menu features dishes such as confit duck leg or sweet potato chipotle chilli year round from Wednesday to Saturday; on other days, you can order a supper of small plates. Breakfast includes freshly squeezed orange juice, smoked salmon and scrambled egg, and egg Florentine. (Melvyn Dixon Grey, Tuesday Chadfield, and others)