Augill Castle, Cumbria
South Stainmore, Nr Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria
A magical place - fun, adventure and relaxation - all remarkably achievable. Budding chefs may join the kids cooking classes available in school holidays.
What else? Books galore, board games, dressing-up clothes (for the children!), DVD's, wooden toys of many descriptions in a whole room - complete with secret door - to which the children can disappear for many hours (mine did) with perhaps Emily and Oliver (children in resident), their friends and family or other guests.
Then there's the outside with a fort, a tennis court on which to ride various vehicles, a mini-tractor, the hens, a climbing frame and big fields to roam. And Holly the resident labrador who has the biggest smile!
This place was a joy to visit, from our first spotting it, lights glowing, along the long dark, windy road to being encompassed by the warmth from the fabulous fires.
The girls had high tea (£5) (served at around 6 pm or as arranged) at the enormous communal dining table whilst the grown-ups unpacked and settled in whilst swigging a sneaky complimentary glass of sherry.
During the weekend a four course dinner (£35) (mid-week 2 courses from £20), cooked by your hosts, is available for adults at around 8pm (suppers by prior arrangement mid-week). It's a treat being so well fed without having to leave the front door; children streaming through dressed as princesses - or horses - not always available! We gate-crashed Wendy and Simon’s impromptu get together and were made so very welcome, again around the enormous animated table.
After dinner you may want to retire to the honesty bar to relax and chat over a nightcap. Otherwise to bed - as mentioned earlier to the exceptionally comfy bed - and ready for the next day with more of the same please.
Breakfast is a leisurely affair and goes on and on - traditional full English with the best bacon and freshly collected eggs, porridge with brown sugar and cream (Eve's favourite!) - fab scrambled eggs and mushrooms (mine) and enough freshly ground coffee to set you up for the day.
Exploring the grounds and following the hens proved to be enough to keep the girls occupied - in fact we didn't leave them - and a sprinkling of snow simply made the whole experience more magical!
Wellies really are left at the enormous front door as are any fears that this may not be all it seems. It is - enjoy!
2 review(s) for Augill Castle
The Baguley Family - Manchester on 12 December 2009
I booked this as a surprise for my husband's birthday as I wanted somewhere where our two children would be welcome too (7 years and 21 months) and it was fantastic. We all settled in so quickly and felt so relaxed that it really was like visiting a relative (who happens to live in a castle!). The rooms were lovely and cosy and there was even a box of baby toiletries complete with books thoughtfully provided. My two ate supper with Oliver and Emily and then the adults all ate together later at the huge dining table, whilst the children were in bed (blissfully unaware that their bedroom antics were being broadcast downstairs via the baby monitor!). Eating like this was a great way to meet other guests and engage in friendly chit chat. We would thoroughly recommend a visit here: Wendy and the staff were lovely, the castle was lovely, the whole weekend was lovely! We have told all our friends and would love to return en-masse in the future.
Rob Murphy - Cheshire on 20 April 2009
A real treat with or without the kids (I could say too nice to waste on the kids!). Our second visit (after too long a gap) and we enjoyed the castle both on our first night with the whole place to ourselves, and the second night with several couples/families. Warm hospitality, like stopping in a rich friend's country manor rather than a hotel - luxurious without being stuffy or formal. Engaging owners and staff. Always lovely food then slowly move from dining table to comfy chairs by the fire (lovely in winter). Lots of places to hide away and read a book. Only negative was a mattress that was a bit too soft and dipped for our liking.
