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Augill Castle

South Stainmore
Kirby Stephen
Cumbria
CA17 4DE
Tel: 01768 341937
Email: enquiries@stayinacastle.com
Website: www.stayinacastle.co.uk

When John Bagot Pearson, 'a gentleman of leisure and considerable means' commissioned Augill Castle in 1837, his vision was of a weekend retreat where he could entertain his friends in a style reminiscent of a medieval banquet. Today, Simon & Wendy Bennett run the castle in a modern, informal style.

Set in beautiful Cumbrian countryside ( Manchester/Leeds 2 hours by car, Lancaster/York/Newcastle 1 hour, Teeside Airport 45 mins, Newcastle Airport 75 mins) Augill is a house that is happiest when it is full and is, above all, a real home with children, cats, dogs, chickens & ducks; muddy boots kicked off by the door and toys tidied carelessly into a corner.

This is your chance to step out of reality and into a more relaxed place altogether. Guests can be part of the family or keep themselves to themselves. Anything goes at Augill, anything but hushed tones and false formality.

Babyworld reader, Miranda Jenkins, can't recommend Augill Castle enough saying "We have just stayed at one of the most family friendly places ever - Augill Castle. With small children, staying at lovely places seemed to be gone forever as most hotels and even B&B owners look down their noses at you even if they say they're child friendly. Augill isn't like that - you can really relax.

Do nothing if you want. And your kids wander free. No kids club or nanny but DVD's, a really lovely playroom (that the owners' kids use), toys, tennis, bikes, a wonderful smiley dog, home cooked food - and the right attitude. Our children moved in, had fun and came home raving."

Accommodation

The castle has ten bedrooms, all of an equal standard but each with a very different character. Some have four poster beds, others four poster baths. You may find such unusual additions to your room as a piano in the bathroom, a church pew next to the loo or an African tribal hanging above your bed.

But while your surroundings may be quirky (this is, after all, a Victorian gentleman's country folly), the bed linen is finest Egyptian cotton, bath towels are huge and fluffy, showers are substantial and baths are big, toiletries are Molton Brown and there are homemade biscuits, fresh ground coffee & fresh milk.

There's even a decanter of sherry to help you unwind and a teddy bear on each bed to keep you company!

Facilities

Staying anywhere with children can be costly and stressful but Augill is a truly child friendly castle where parents can kick off their shoes and relax knowing that their children are having an equally good time.

Young visitors to Augill are often adopted by the Bennett's children as 'special friends' and are whisked off to the 'Den', the playground or the trampoline. Once the fresh air has tired them out, there is an extensive library of videos and DVDs, a games room, toys for all ages and a whole castle complete with towers and turrets to explore.

Bedrooms are big enough to comfortably take extra beds, most have DVD players, all the bathrooms and baths are big (some are enormous)and there are inter-connecting bedrooms, cots, highchairs, baby listening, flexible eating options (adult and children's dietary whims are accommodated).

There is an all-weather tennis court complete with automatic ball machine if you can't find a willing partner.

Nearby

Visit www.family-day-out.co.uk/region/north.htm for a wealth of things to do as a family and there are indoor and outdoor swimming pools nearby, natural swimming holes, golf, horse riding and endless uncrowded walking. Local sporting estates and activity centres offer a wider range of activities including off-road driving, climbing, kayaking, sailing and even skiing.

Price

Double/twin rooms including breakfast from Ł140. Four course dinner on Fridays & Saturdays Ł35 per person. Midweek suppers Ł20 per person. Children Ł5. Cots & beds for under 5's free of charge.

Extra beds for children 5-12, sharing adults' room Ł15. We give priority to bookings of two nights or more between Friday & Sunday. Payment may be made by debit card, Visa, Mastercard, cash or cheque up to the value of a valid guarantee card.

All prices include VAT @ 17.5% (VAT No: 708 1134 64).

Rating

VisitBritain 5 star guest accommodation silver award. Cumbria Tourism B&B of the year 2007 nominee .