Augill Castle

Augill Castle is a 19th-century Gothic Revival castle in the Eden Valley in Cumbria, a country house that was originally a private residence and later converted into a hotel. It sits between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, on what the owners describe as the geographical centre of the British Isles, four miles outside the market town of Kirkby Stephen.

A castle without the formality

What sets Augill apart is the tone. Its owners aim for comfort, friendliness and informality rather than hushed grandeur, and the castle has a reputation for being relaxed and family friendly, with a touch of eccentricity. Guests are encouraged to feel at home, with log fires, big rooms and space to spend time together.

The rooms

The castle rooms are the draw. Most have four-poster beds, and views stretch to the Yorkshire Dales and the Lakeland Fells. The rooms vary, so it is worth asking which suits your party best.

Eating and drinking

Augill Castle is both a hotel and a restaurant. Afternoon tea has been served here for years, and the owners have made a point of doing it their own way, without the usual finger sandwiches. The conservatory has a live-edge bar built by one of the family, a pleasant place for a drink before dinner.

Around Augill

The location makes the castle a quieter base for the northern Lake District side of Cumbria, with the Yorkshire Dales also within reach. Local markets, open gardens, walks and dark skies are all part of the Eden Valley in early autumn. The address is Leacett Lane, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria CA17 4DE.