Augill Castle

With its towers and battlements this Victorian-folly castle, in 15 acres of grounds, looks imposing yet is ‘a wonderful place to relax, kick back and take it easy’. 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. ‘It is quirky but very welcoming’ and ‘family-friendly’, report readers. ‘Our girls had a blast around the gardens.’ Bedrooms in the castle and separate buildings range from big to vast. Eccentrically furnished with saleroom finds, bold wallpapers and ‘sumptuous bedding, towels and robes’, they might have a four-poster or Victorian chaise longue. Bathrooms are huge, some with a roll-top bath. Evening meals in the former Music Room might include spiced venison haunch with celeriac purée, and local lamb with parsnip mash. An ‘amazing breakfast’ includes freshly squeezed orange juice, smoked salmon and scrambled egg, and field mushroom and poached egg Florentine. ‘A fantastic experience and cannot wait to rebook.’ (Guillaume Post, Mark Vincent, and others)