There’s a reason so many people head to the same places for a family accommodation near the Lake District. The famous lakes, the postcard-perfect villages, the walks everyone recommends and the attractions that have been on the family bucket list for years. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with any of that.
But what if you could enjoy everything that makes this corner of the country so special without staying right in the middle of the crowds? What if your base for exploring the Lake District was somewhere a little different, with the Yorkshire Dales on your doorstep, miles of open countryside to discover and a castle to come home to at the end of the day?
Welcome to Augill Castle.
Tucked away near the Lake District, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Augill offers something a little different from the usual family hotel or holiday cottage. It’s a proper castle, full of character, with space to relax, countryside to explore and two of England’s most spectacular landscapes within easy reach.
Because sometimes, the best family holidays happen when you look beyond the obvious places.
You discover more than one destination
One of the great advantages of staying somewhere a little outside the usual tourist hotspots is the choice it gives you.
Augill Castle sits in a particularly lovely part of Cumbria, with the Lake District to the west and the Yorkshire Dales National Park close by. You aren’t tied to one destination or one style of holiday. Instead, you have a whole collection of landscapes, towns, villages and experiences to choose from.
Spend a day exploring the lakes, taking a boat trip or heading out on a family walk. The next, discover the market towns and traditional villages of the Yorkshire Dales, follow country lanes through the Eden Valley or venture into the surrounding hills for a different perspective on the countryside.
You might find yourself exploring somewhere you hadn’t even considered before you arrived.
And that’s part of the appeal. You can enjoy the places you’ve always wanted to visit while leaving room for a few unexpected discoveries along the way.
A castle makes an excellent starting point for a family adventure
Let’s be honest: finding somewhere that everyone in the family is happy to stay can be one of the trickiest parts of planning a holiday.
Children want somewhere exciting. Parents want somewhere comfortable, welcoming and well placed for exploring. And everyone would probably appreciate a little more character than another anonymous hotel room.
A castle is a pretty good place to start.
Augill Castle isn’t your conventional family accommodation. Its historic character, distinctive rooms and wonderfully individual atmosphere make staying here part of the holiday itself. There’s something rather special about waking up in a castle before heading out to explore the countryside.
It gives children something to talk about, creates a sense of occasion and makes the accommodation feel like an experience in its own right, rather than simply somewhere to sleep.
And because you’re staying near the Lake District and on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, there’s plenty to fill your days once you’re ready to head out.
Whether your family enjoys walking, wildlife, outdoor adventures, exploring historic places or simply getting out into the countryside, this is a location that lends itself to doing things together.
Family adventures don’t have to mean following the crowds
The Lake District is famous for good reason. Its lakes, mountains and walking routes are extraordinary. But popular destinations can become busy, particularly during school holidays, when everyone seems to have the same idea at the same time.
Staying just outside the main tourist centres gives you more flexibility.
You can still plan those classic Lake District days, but you also have the option of exploring quieter corners of the surrounding countryside. The Yorkshire Dales offer a different kind of adventure, with dramatic limestone landscapes, dry-stone walls, rivers, waterfalls and traditional villages that feel wonderfully connected to their surroundings.
Closer to home, the Eden Valley provides another option for days spent exploring at a gentler pace, with country walks, small towns and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the landscape without needing to follow a packed itinerary.
For families, that flexibility matters. Some days call for a big adventure; others are better spent taking a shorter walk, stopping for lunch in a village or letting the day unfold without too much planning.
You don’t need to tick off every attraction to have a brilliant holiday. Sometimes, the best memories come from the places you discover between the big-name destinations.
There’s more to explore than the usual Lake District itinerary
Choosing accommodation near the Lake District doesn’t mean you have to spend every day in the Lake District itself.
One of the pleasures of staying at Augill Castle is having other destinations within reach, giving you the freedom to build a holiday around your family’s interests rather than a fixed list of must-sees.
Historic market towns such as Kirkby Stephen and Appleby-in-Westmorland offer a glimpse of local life, independent shops and traditional streets to explore. The surrounding countryside opens up opportunities for walking and cycling, while the Yorkshire Dales provide a landscape that feels distinct from the lakes and fells to the west.
For families who enjoy getting active, the wider area also offers opportunities for outdoor pursuits, from watersports and cycling to more adventurous activities with local providers.
And if you have children who love trains, castles, wildlife or simply exploring somewhere new, there’s plenty of scope to put together days that suit their interests and energy levels.
The point isn’t to cram everything in. It’s to have options.
A good family holiday gives everyone something to look forward to, without making every day feel like a military operation.
Somewhere unique makes the holiday feel different
There are plenty of places to stay near the Lake District. Hotels, holiday cottages, lodges and campsites all have their place, and the right choice depends on the kind of break you’re looking for.
But if you’re after something a little more memorable, somewhere with its own personality, Augill Castle offers a different experience.
It’s a historic castle in the countryside, with an atmosphere that feels a world away from the everyday. It’s not trying to be another standard country hotel, and it doesn’t need to be. Its character is part of the attraction.
For families, that sense of somewhere different can make a real difference to the holiday. The accommodation becomes part of the story, not just the practical arrangement that makes everything else possible.
There’s also something refreshing about choosing a place that isn’t right in the middle of the busiest tourist areas. You can spend your days exploring the region and return somewhere that feels a little removed from the rush.
A little more space to breathe. A little more time together. And somewhere you’ll remember for reasons beyond the places you visited.
You can have an adventurous holiday without making everything complicated
Family travel often involves a fair amount of planning. Where to go, what to see, how far to travel, whether everyone will enjoy it and what to do if the weather changes.
Choosing a well-placed base can make those decisions much easier.
Augill Castle gives you access to the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the Eden Valley, so you can adapt your plans to the weather, your family’s interests and how much energy everyone has on any given day.
You could head west for a day among the lakes and mountains, explore the Dales on another, or stay closer to the castle and enjoy the surrounding countryside.
And when the day’s adventures are over, you have somewhere distinctive to return to.
That balance is what makes a difference: the freedom to explore without feeling that you have to be somewhere else every minute of the day.
The best family memories aren’t always made at the famous places
Of course, you’ll want photographs of the lakes, the mountains and the places you’ve been looking forward to visiting. Those are all part of the experience.
But ask people about their favourite family holidays and the stories often go beyond the headline attractions.
It’s the unexpected discovery on a country walk. The village you stopped in for lunch. The view that made everyone get out of the car. The day when the original plan went out of the window and something better happened instead.
Staying somewhere a little less obvious gives you the opportunity to leave space for those moments.
At Augill Castle, the location makes that particularly easy. You’re close enough to explore the Lake District, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and surrounded by the characterful countryside of Cumbria and the Eden Valley.
There’s no need to choose between visiting the places you know and discovering somewhere new. You can do both.
And for a family holiday, that combination is hard to beat.
So, why stay somewhere different?
Because a family holiday should be about more than finding somewhere convenient to sleep.
It should give you somewhere exciting to stay, somewhere beautiful to explore and the freedom to spend your time in ways that suit your family.
It should give you the big adventures and the quieter moments, the famous destinations and the unexpected discoveries. And, ideally, it should give you a few stories to tell when you get home.
Augill Castle brings all of that together in a setting that’s a little different from the obvious choice.
Near the Lake District, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and surrounded by the countryside of Cumbria, it’s a unique base for family adventures, outdoor exploration and time together.
You can visit the places everyone knows about. You can discover the places they haven’t told you about yet. And you can do it all with a castle as your base.
This time, make the place you stay part of the adventure.
Family Stays at Augill Castle – Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Augill Castle a good place for a family holiday near the Lake District?
Absolutely. Augill Castle is a wonderfully characterful place for a family escape, with the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales National Park and Eden Valley all within reach. Rather than staying in the middle of a busy tourist hotspot, you can use the castle as a base for exploring the wider countryside, discovering local towns and enjoying outdoor adventures together. And with a real castle to return to, the place you stay becomes part of the holiday, too.
2. What makes Augill Castle different from other family accommodation near the Lake District?
Augill Castle offers something a little out of the ordinary. This historic, individually styled castle combines distinctive bedrooms and suites with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where children are genuinely welcome. There are shared spaces for spending time together, games and toys to borrow, and plenty of countryside to explore beyond the castle grounds. It’s a family stay with character, rather than simply somewhere to sleep between days out.
3. What can families do near Augill Castle?
There’s plenty to discover in the surrounding area. Families can explore the Lake District’s lakes and walking routes, discover the villages and landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales, or spend time exploring the market towns and countryside of the Eden Valley. Depending on your family’s interests, you can plan walking days, outdoor activities, scenic drives and visits to historic attractions. The advantage of staying at Augill Castle is having more than one destination to explore, so you can build a holiday around your family rather than following the same itinerary as everyone else.
4. Is Augill Castle suitable for families with young children?
Yes. Augill Castle welcomes families with children of different ages, including babies and toddlers. Practical facilities include cots, highchairs, baby monitors and other useful essentials, while games and toys are available to borrow. The team can also help you choose suitable accommodation for your family, including family rooms and interconnecting options. If you’re travelling with younger children, it’s worth discussing your room configuration and requirements before booking so you can find the right fit.
5. Why choose a unique family stay on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales instead of staying in the Lake District itself?
Staying just outside the main Lake District tourist centres gives you the flexibility to explore more of the region. From Augill Castle, you can enjoy days out in the Lake District while also discovering the Yorkshire Dales and the surrounding Eden Valley. You have a distinctive place to stay, a different landscape to explore each day and the freedom to balance bigger adventures with quieter family time. It’s an excellent option for families who want to experience the best of this part of England while staying somewhere memorable in its own right.
