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’. More
Good Hotel Guide Review
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)
Hotel details
Address
South Stainmore
Kirkby Stephen
Cumbria
CA17 4DE
England
Telephone
01768 341937
Bedrooms
13. 2 on ground floor, 9 in stables, orangery, coach house, 1 suitable for disabled.
Open
all year, Music Room dinner not served Sun/Mon Nov–Easter.
Facilities
hall, drawing room, library, sitting room, bar, dining room, conservatory, in-room TV, civil wedding licence, 20-acre grounds (tennis), EV charging, public rooms wheelchair accessible, adapted toilet.
Background music
none.
Children
all ages welcomed, family rooms, extra bed £25, games room.
Dogs
allowed in 2 bedrooms (£10 per night, by arrangement), not public rooms.
Credit cards
Amex, MC, Visa.
Prices
B&B doubles from £200. À la carte 2-course £27.50, 3-course £35. 1-night bookings often refused weekends.
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