The quiet side of the Lakes: a castle hotel near the Lake District
There is a certain expectation that if you are looking for a stay near the Lake District, you need to be right in the middle of it all. Somewhere overlooking a lake, perhaps, or tucked into one of the better-known towns, with walkers in boots passing the window and plenty of places to eat, drink and explore within easy reach.
And, of course, there is nothing wrong with that.
But what if you could spend your days exploring the Lake District and then come back to somewhere altogether quieter? Somewhere with fields rather than crowds outside the window, a little more space, and a castle at the end of the drive?
That is where Augill Castle comes in.
Just around 40 minutes east of the Lake District, Augill sits in the Eden Valley, surrounded by the sort of open Cumbrian countryside that makes you slow down without really meaning to. It is close enough to make exploring the Lake District part of your stay, but far enough away that you can leave the busy bits behind when the day is done.
A quieter place to stay near the Lake District
We love the Lake District, but we also know that it can get busy, particularly when the weather is doing its very best to persuade everyone in the country to head for the hills.
Staying near the Lake District rather than directly in one of its busiest centres gives you a slightly different kind of break. You can still head west for a day of mountain scenery, lakeside walks and those views that make you stop the car just to look at them, but you are not committed to spending your entire holiday navigating busy roads and crowded car parks.
Instead, you can have the best of both.
Spend the day exploring, then head back towards the quieter side of Cumbria, where the landscape opens out and the pace feels a little different.
That is one of the things we rather like about being a castle hotel near the Lake District. You get to enjoy the Lakes, without necessarily having to stay amongst the busiest parts of them.
40 minutes from the Lake District, and a world away
Augill Castle is in the Eden Valley, on the eastern side of Cumbria and close to The Yorkshire Dales, which puts us in a particularly useful spot for anyone wanting to explore more than just one part of the county.
You can head towards the Lake District for the day, but you can also discover the countryside on this side of the county, with its villages, valleys, walking routes and wonderfully quiet roads.
There is something rather lovely about having a destination to come back to after a day out.
You might have spent the morning walking in the Lakes, stopped somewhere for lunch, explored a village or two and taken far too many photographs of stunning mountains reflected in water. By the time you return to Augill, the day’s adventure can give way to a slower evening, whether that means dinner, a drink or simply finding a comfortable corner and doing very little at all.
A castle stay near the Lake District that is part of the experience
Augill isn’t simply a convenient hotel near the Lake District; the castle is very much part of the reason to come.
It is a proper heritage country house with character, quirks, comfortable rooms and plenty of spaces where you can settle in rather than feeling that you have to keep moving. There are grounds to explore, countryside beyond the gates and the slightly surreal pleasure of being able to say that you are staying in a castle tonight.
It is the kind of place where muddy walking boots don’t feel out of place, where children can have space to explore and where you can spend an evening talking about the day’s adventures rather than checking what time you need to leave for the next attraction.
In other words, it feels like a stay in its own right.
Exploring the Lake District from Augill
Being near the Lake District means you can easily make the Lakes part of your itinerary, whether you are visiting for the first time or returning to favourite places.
Perhaps you want a proper day out on the Roof of England walk, or perhaps you are more interested in lakeside walks, pretty villages, good food and finding somewhere with a particularly good view for a cup of coffee. There is no right way to do the Lake District, which is rather the point.
And because you are staying just outside the main tourist centres, you have the opportunity to mix things up a little.
One day could be spent exploring the Lake District, while the next might take you along quieter walking routes in the Eden Valley. You could head further north, explore historic market towns such as Appleby, Kirkby Stephen or even as far as Penrith, follow part of a long-distance trail or simply get in the car and see where the road takes you.
You don’t have to fill every minute, either.
Sometimes the best Lake District break involves doing considerably less than you planned.
Walking the Lake District
If walking is one of the reasons you are coming to Cumbria, being based near the Lake District gives you plenty of choice.
The famous Lake District fells are within reach, of course, but you don’t need to climb a mountain every day to have a good walking holiday. The countryside around Augill offers its own routes, with quiet lanes, open fields and long-distance paths to discover.
For anyone walking sections of the Coast to Coast, Westmorland Way
or other routes through this part of the country, Augill can also make a rather memorable place to stop and recharge.
There is something very satisfying about arriving somewhere after a day on foot, taking off your boots and knowing you don’t have to do anything else until morning.
And if your idea of walking involves a gentle wander followed by cake rather than a full day’s hike, we are entirely behind that approach too.
Why stay near the Lake District rather than in it?
For some people, being right in the heart of the Lake District will always be the obvious choice, and if that is what you want, there are plenty of wonderful places to stay.
But if you are looking for somewhere near the Lake District that feels a little more peaceful, a little more spacious and perhaps a little less expected, staying on the eastern side of Cumbria is worth considering.
You can still (easily) reach the Lakes for the day, but you also get to experience another side of the county, one that can be just as beautiful without attracting quite the same crowds.
And when you return to Augill, you are not simply returning to a bedroom. You are coming back to the castle, the grounds, the countryside and all the little corners that make the place feel like somewhere you have escaped to rather than somewhere you have simply booked for the night.
A Lake District break, with a little more breathing room
Perhaps that is the real appeal of staying near the Lake District.
You can have your day in the Lakes, with the mountains, lakes and spectacular scenery, while keeping your evenings somewhere quieter.
You can explore as much as you like, or discover that after one particularly energetic day you would rather stay at the castle with a book and a glass of something nice.
You can come for the Lake District and discover the Eden Valley while you are here.
And you can have the rather lovely experience of waking up somewhere that feels a world away from the crowds, even though one of England’s most famous landscapes is only around 40 minutes down the road.
So, if you are searching for a hotel near the Lake District, perhaps don’t automatically look for somewhere in the thick of it.
Look a little further east.
There is a castle waiting for you there.
Frequently asked questions about staying near the Lake District
How far is Augill Castle from the Lake District?
Augill Castle is around 40 minutes east of the Lake District, making it a useful base if you want to explore the Lakes while staying somewhere a little quieter. You can spend the day exploring the mountains, lakes and villages before returning to the Eden Valley for a more peaceful evening.
Is Augill Castle a good place to stay near the Lake District?
If you want to be close enough to explore the Lake District but don’t necessarily want to stay in one of the busier tourist centres, we think it makes a rather lovely alternative. You have the Lake District within easy reach, while the castle itself gives you somewhere with space, character and countryside around you.
What can you do near Augill Castle?
There is plenty to discover beyond the Lake District itself, from walking in the Eden Valley to exploring local villages and long-distance trails. The location also puts you within reach of other parts of Cumbria and the Yorkshire Dales, so you can build a much broader trip around your stay rather than concentrating on one destination.
Can I visit the Lake District from Augill Castle for the day?
Absolutely. Being around 40 minutes from the Lake District means you can easily make a day of it, whether you are planning a serious day on the fells or simply want to explore some of the Lakes’ better-known villages and viewpoints. Then, when you’ve had enough sightseeing, you can head back to the castle.
Is Augill Castle suitable for a walking holiday near the Lake District?
Yes, particularly if you like having plenty of choice. You can head into the Lake District for some of its famous walks, while there are also walking routes and long-distance trails closer to the castle. It’s a good option if you want to mix big walking days with quieter countryside walks during the same break.
Why stay near the Lake District instead of in the Lake District?
It really comes down to the sort of holiday you enjoy. Staying near the Lake District can give you the freedom to explore the Lakes without having to stay in the busiest areas, while also giving you the opportunity to discover a quieter part of Cumbria. For us, having both on the doorstep is rather hard to beat.
To book a stay in a castle near the Lake District, you can jump on the links here, or give Augill Castle a call on +44 17683 41937
