Augill Castle

Set within its own private estate where the Yorkshire Dales meet the edge of Cumbria’s Lake District, Augill Castle is a 19th-century Gothic country house that feels both quietly grand and entirely unpretentious. Built in 1841 as a romantic Victorian folly, its turrets, mullioned windows and far-reaching views still give it the unmistakable presence of a true English castle, softened by a warmth that immediately puts you at ease.

Today, Augill is less about formality and more about feeling. Family-owned and thoughtfully evolved over more than two decades, it has been shaped not into a traditional luxury hotel, but into something far rarer: a place that invites you to settle in, slow down and simply be.

Inside, the castle balances history with personality. Original features, oak panelling and generous fireplaces sit comfortably alongside bold colours, eclectic furnishings and quietly modern touches. Each bedroom is individual, en-suite and layered with character rather than uniformity, while the shared spaces, from drawing rooms to dining areas, are designed to feel lived-in, welcoming and genuinely sociable.

The experience here centres around the simple luxuries of time and space. Mornings unfold slowly over thoughtful, locally inspired breakfasts; afternoons drift between the gardens, the surrounding fells or a book by the fire; evenings gather guests together in a relaxed, convivial atmosphere for deliciously cooked locally produced and seasonal produce to menus you decide on with Wendy. There is no rigid structure, only a gentle rhythm that changes with the seasons and the people within it.

Exclusive use gives you just that. The house and gardens. The time and space. A hotel home with everything you could possibly need. Even a really well and independently stocked Great British Bar!

What defines Augill most is its spirit. It is intentionally “perfectly imperfect”; a place where history is allowed to show, where individuality is celebrated, and where guests are welcomed not as visitors, but as part of the house itself.

For those exploring the North of England, it offers a rare combination: immediate access to two of the country’s most celebrated landscapes, and a stay that feels entirely its own.

In essence, Augill Castle is not just somewhere to stay, but somewhere to reconnect, with the landscape, with others, and with the often-overlooked luxury of unhurried time together.

The beauty of staying at Augill is that you’re perfectly placed to explore some of the North of England’s most quietly spectacular corners, without ever feeling in the thick of it.

On your doorstep, you’ll find a scattering of characterful market towns, each with their own rhythm. Kirkby Stephen is the closest, small but full of charm, with independent shops, traditional pubs and access to beautiful riverside walks. A little further afield, Appleby-in-Westmorland offers cobbled streets, a historic castle and a sense of stepping back in time. For those drawn outdoors, this is walking country in its purest form.

You’re on the edge of both the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, meaning endless footpaths, rolling fells and big open skies in every direction. Whether it’s a gentle morning stroll straight from the castle gates or a full day exploring the high fells, there’s something here for every pace.

Just a short drive away, the Lake District opens up in all its drama – glacial lakes, winding passes and those views you’ve likely seen in photographs but never quite believed until you’re standing in them.

For something a little different, Larch Cottage Nurseries is a hidden gem; part garden, part lifestyle space, with beautiful planting, a café and interiors to browse. And Rheged Centre offers a more contemporary contrast, with exhibitions, independent shopping, cinema and one of the best places locally to spend a slower, cultural afternoon.

There’s far more than you can fit into one stay, which is why we keep an evolving collection of ideas, walks and favourite places over on our blog at stayinacastle.com under NEWS – worth dipping into before you arrive, and returning to whenever you’re planning your next visit.