Augill is a one-off, a folly castle in beautiful country. It may look grand, but it’s anything but – Simon and Wendy run their home with a rod of pure sponge. It’s wonderfully informal and children love it. There are no uniforms, no rules, you just come to kick off your shoes and relax. You can do this in various places: on sofas in front of the fire in the hall; by a grand piano in the music room; in the honesty bar that opens onto a terrace; or in the cinema in the old potting shed. Breakfast is served communally in a vast dining room under a fine, ornate ceiling – local bacon, eggs from resident hens, homemade breads and jams. Elsewhere, panelled walls, roaring fires, books, art and antiques. Colourful bedrooms are all different. Some are enormous, one has a wardrobe in the turret, you’ll find big bathrooms, bold colours and vintage luggage. Cottages are good for families and there’s lots for children to do – dressing up boxes, five acres of gardens, a treehouse and playground, too. The Dales and the Lakes are close, but sybarites may just want to stay put. You can come to get married, too.
Very comfortable, very family friendly, exactly as described. Extremely friendly staff, great afternoon tea, lovely breakfast everything has been thought of, from the games room to the cinema to the honestly bar, highly recommended feels like you are staying in your very own castle!