Yorkshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="959" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Augill-Castle-Credit-Dan-Appleby-Productions-332-1-2.jpg" alt="Augill Castle" class="wp-image-6267" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Augill-Castle-Credit-Dan-Appleby-Productions-332-1-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Augill-Castle-Credit-Dan-Appleby-Productions-332-1-2-300x192.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Augill-Castle-Credit-Dan-Appleby-Productions-332-1-2-1024x655.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Augill-Castle-Credit-Dan-Appleby-Productions-332-1-2-768x491.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>A 19<sup>th</sup> century castle on the border between Yorkshire and Cumbria? Yes, please! Drive over the Pennines and down into the Eden Valley to reach the gorgeously secluded retreat &#8211; <strong><a href="https://stayinacastle.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Augill Castle</a></strong>. If you’re looking for a super welcoming and homely kind of place that’s all charm and character, but also caters for the whole family (that means tottering tots to furry friends) where everyone can just relax and be themselves, then this is the spot for you. </p>



<p>Often hired out for gatherings and celebrations, they can fit 20 people across 10 bedrooms, but have a few more on site if necessary. I stayed when it was set as a hotel with a few other guests. The ethos here is about treating the place like a home away from home – throw off your shoes, snuggle down and put your feet up by a roaring fire. Perfection.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="982" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Augill-Castle-hall-2.jpg" alt="Augill Castle" class="wp-image-6277" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Augill-Castle-hall-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Augill-Castle-hall-2-300x196.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Augill-Castle-hall-2-1024x670.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Augill-Castle-hall-2-768x503.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>A castle meets country house kind of place that’s all homely vibes&nbsp;and totally down to earth, despite its grand exterior. I arrived at night and was welcomed by the grounds lit with twinkling fairy lights and the hall aglow with a roaring fire which set the tone for me perfectly. The sight of muddy boots discarded by the door was testament to the fact Augill is very much a ‘practice what you preach’ kind of place where they invite you to kick your shoes off and sink into their huge squishy sofas. One guest felt so at home she came down to dinner in her slippers, which, coming for a solo stay with my pooch in tow, made me feel totally at ease.&nbsp;&nbsp;Having served as a family home for over 20 years, you’ll find family photos and homely touches all over the place, which totally adds to its charm. Roaring fires invite you to pick up one of the many books from the library, grab a large gin and tonic from the bar and simply lose track of time. History buffs will love it here with plenty of heritage and so much to take in as you wander around the place with lots of interesting snippets you can read about the history of the castle during your explorations. Think ‘Escape to the Chateau: the North of England’ edition and you won’t go too wrong.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-quaff">SCOFF/QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Augill-Castle-41.jpg" alt="Augill Castle" class="wp-image-6270" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Augill-Castle-41.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Augill-Castle-41-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Augill-Castle-41-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Augill-Castle-41-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>There’s a beautiful dining room where a homemade breakfast and dinner is served. Wendy, the owner, was cooking dinner on the night I stayed and it was just what I needed after my drive over. Hearty, homely and gobbled up on the spot. There’s something about knowing your meal has been prepared by someone so connected with the place that just makes it feel even more special. Meals are classic dishes, but beautifully done. There were a few couples and a large group of friends dining at the same time as me. Tables are reserved for you with a little sign of your room initials marking which is yours. There’s a fab bar in the conservatory and a huge lounge just off the dining room with a piano and humongous sofas providing the perfect place for a post-dinner stupor. I can see why this place is so popular for celebrations as I can just imagine my friends and I taking it over for a party. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1012" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Lowry-Heywood-Penny-Rose-2018-02-06-at-14.13.07.png" alt="Augill Castle" class="wp-image-6272" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Lowry-Heywood-Penny-Rose-2018-02-06-at-14.13.07.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Lowry-Heywood-Penny-Rose-2018-02-06-at-14.13.07-300x202.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Lowry-Heywood-Penny-Rose-2018-02-06-at-14.13.07-1024x691.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Lowry-Heywood-Penny-Rose-2018-02-06-at-14.13.07-768x518.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Breakfast is a similar experience with your table already reserved for you. A breakfast bar sits in the middle with a selection of fruits, pastries and cereals. I was suitably impressed with the dairy free milk selection, meaning I didn’t have to try and stomach the usual soya I’m subjected to. There’s a great a la carte option too with classic hot breakfast dishes to set you up for the day. My eggs royale were probably the best I’ve ever had (and I’ve had <em>a lot</em>!) My room had a little kitchenette which is great if you’re the type of traveller that likes to make their own meals, also super handy for families. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/20251102_095419.jpg" alt="Augill Castle" class="wp-image-6274" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/20251102_095419.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/20251102_095419-225x300.jpg 225w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/20251102_095419-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/20251102_095419-1152x1536.jpg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pillow-talk">PILLOW TALK</h2>



<p>The castle has a mix of rooms and suites dotted all over the place with a large portion residing in the main building and located in the grounds of the estate. Each one has its own personality and features a mix of traditional pieces such as grand four poster beds paired with modern wallpapers. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/20251102_110834.jpg" alt="Augill Castle" class="wp-image-6273" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/20251102_110834.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/20251102_110834-225x300.jpg 225w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/20251102_110834-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/20251102_110834-1152x1536.jpg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>As I was travelling with my pooch, we were given a suite in the coach house which was perfect for us. We had our own little open courtyard and I was able to pull my car right up to the door. The room itself was split over two floors with an open plan living room/kitchen diner on the ground and the bedroom and bathroom above. I loved sinking into the sofa after a day out exploring, but my favourite had to be the four-poster bed under the towering window – providing both a great Insta opportunity and a peaceful night’s sleep. The remote location means silent surroundings and pitch-black rooms once you turn the light out making for a completely undisturbed sleep. Don’t let the remote location fool you though, there’s still fast WiFi, a smart TV and the most powerful shower I’ve ever used. They also accept campervans should you wish to make the most of the castle’s facilities on your travels. Word on the street is that most people who do this fall in love with the castle and end up booking a stay in one of the rooms instead of going back to their lodgings on wheels. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-activites">ACTIVITES </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/20251102_143018.jpg" alt="Augill Castle" class="wp-image-6276" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/20251102_143018.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/20251102_143018-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/20251102_143018-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/20251102_143018-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Oodles if you like the outdoors and being active. There’s a tennis court&nbsp;on the grounds with plenty of rackets and balls to borrow. You can walk for miles upon miles and even reach the country’s highest pub – Tan Hill – if you’re up for a strenuous 7-mile hike. Head to the Lakes and tick off a few fells or hike up the Pennines. Kids can climb trees, raid the dress up box, hunker down in the cinema room or even feed the lambs come spring. Older members of the family will love snuggling up in an armchair by the fire and reading a book from the library or exploring the castle’s rich history.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accessibility-nbsp">ACCESSIBILITY &nbsp;</h2>



<p>There’s one ground floor room that’s completely accessible with a wet room etc and a suite on ground floor with couple steps to access it. There was a guest with mobility issues staying when I was there, and they managed to navigate the stone steps and gravel paths just fine.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-family-friendly">FAMILY FRIENDLY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1072" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Augill-Castle-outside-Image-Credit_-Augill-Castle.jpg" alt="Augill Castle" class="wp-image-6269" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Augill-Castle-outside-Image-Credit_-Augill-Castle.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Augill-Castle-outside-Image-Credit_-Augill-Castle-300x214.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Augill-Castle-outside-Image-Credit_-Augill-Castle-1024x732.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/Augill-Castle-outside-Image-Credit_-Augill-Castle-768x549.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Absolutely! It’s very much a bring the whole gang kind of place with something for everyone. No rules for kids expect don&#8217;t bash the grand piano&nbsp;which is totally fair. Some of the bedrooms have connecting rooms with twin beds, and cots/high chairs can be provided.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/20251102_123312.jpg" alt="Augill Castle" class="wp-image-6275" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/20251102_123312.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/20251102_123312-225x300.jpg 225w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/20251102_123312-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2025/11/20251102_123312-1152x1536.jpg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Walk to the lovely little village of Church Brough straight from the castle in about 20 minutes. Here you’ll find another castle on a Roman fort where you can wander around. There’s a creamery with a tearoom serving homemade ice cream and afternoon teas (season dependent) and a church that was built on an incline so that the congregation had to look upwards towards the priest is well worth a look. You’re perfectly placed to explore so much from the Dales to the Lakes for outdoor adventures galore. The A1 and A66 are close by and the M1 is only 20 minutes away should you want to explore further afield.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-damage">THE DAMAGE</h2>



<p>The average price for a room including breakfast is £200. Exclusive use starts at £200 per person and includes dinner.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muddy-verdict">MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Adventures, going off grid and staying somewhere unique with personality and character.</p>



<p><strong>Not good for</strong>: Anyone looking for a formal set up that&#8217;s all bells and whistles or high tech gadgets and gizmos. </p>



<p><em><a href="https://stayinacastle.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Augill Castle</strong></a>, Leacett Ln, Kirkby Stephen CA17 4DE</em></p>



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Review: Augill Castle, Kirkby Stephen

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