Augill Castle

With its towers and battlements, this Victorian-folly castle in 20 acres of grounds looks the real deal yet is ‘extremely laid-back – you can’t fail to feel at home’. Owners Simon and Wendy Bennett have furnished the huge rooms – wood-panelling, ornate ceilings – in a grandly shabby, homely style. Family photographs and cushion-heaped window-seats complement the antiques. ‘The place is not overly done up but supremely enjoyable,’ our inspector reported. Bedrooms, in the castle, stables, orangery and separate buildings, range from big to vast. Eccentrically furnished with sale-room finds and bold wallpapers, they might include a four-poster or Victorian chaise longue. Bathrooms are huge, some with a roll-top bath. Plenty of activities, too, such as tennis and a games room. Evening meals in the former Music Room might include Cumbrian crab with avocado, and local lamb with gratin potatoes. There’s a more casual menu, too. A ‘tasty, filling’ breakfast includes freshly squeezed juice, smoked salmon and scrambled egg, and field mushroom and poached egg Florentine. ‘We felt like part of the family.’ (Jeremy Taylor, and others)