Appleby Castle Hotel - Appleby-in-Westmorland

12th-century castle hotel with one of Britain's few intact Norman keeps

Accommodations

Appleby Castle Hotel offers 12 bedrooms inside the medieval keep and three separate holiday cottages on the grounds. Each room is individually decorated with antique furnishings, and some feature 17th-century four-poster beds. Guests can choose between rooms in the main castle or cottages with full self-catering facilities.

Dining

Evening meals are served by candlelight in the 15th-century dining room, with a menu created by chef Craig. Breakfast is offered each morning in the Great Hall, and the on-site tearoom serves afternoon refreshments. Guests often receive live piano music during dinner, performed by the hotel manager.

History & Tours

Appleby Castle provides complimentary guided tours of the Norman Keep, one of the few intact Norman keeps in Britain. The keep houses a museum with storyboards and artefacts detailing the castle's history from Roman times. Guests can climb to the top of the keep for panoramic views of the Eden Valley and beyond.

Recreation

The 11 hectare grounds offer opportunities for fishing along the River Eden, as well as walking trails through the castle gardens. Inside, guests can use the games room with a pool table, darts, and a variety of board games. The hotel also arranges themed dinner nights and walking tours for guests.

Location

Appleby Castle sits next to the River Eden in the Eden Valley, at the edge of the Lake District National Park. Appleby Golf Club is a 5-minute drive away, and the Yorkshire Dales National Park is within easy reach. The market town of Appleby-in-Westmorland has a rail station just a 5-minute walk through the town centre.

• Location: 5-minute walk from Appleby Rail Station, 20-minute drive from Penrith
• Rooms: 12 castle bedrooms and 3 self-catering cottages
• Dining: 15th-century dining room with candlelit meals
• Activities: Complimentary guided tours of the Norman Keep
• Grounds: 11 hectares with fishing, horse riding, and golf nearby