Appleby Castle

Awesome experience. Staying a real castle that's updated enough to be comfortable in the 21st century without losing authenticity. Food was befitting the aristocratic lineage. Superbly situated for the Lakes and North East. Highly recommend.

We had a very satisfactory stay in a spacious cottage. The restaurant meal we had was excellent. The grounds are good to walk around and the town centre is a short walk down the hill. The Norman Centre had some interesting history of the castle and had a fine view from the top. It was a good centre for walking with Dufton, and walks up Dufton Pike and High Cup Nick only a 10 minute drive.

Avoid-Avoid-Avoid... How this place can call itself a Hotel is beyond me... Arrived to check-in - Total Darkness, no signs, had to use our phones to try find a Reception/Check in area... When we finally did, the door was locked, after pressing the bell many times, to no avail, a guest staying at the hotel let us in, and said she would find someone for us.... This was not a member of staff by the way. Finally, a guy came downstairs, tried to charge us again for our paid room, and after 15 minutes finally showed us our room.... Floor is on an angle, which made the bed also on an angle, the bathroom makes loud noises, the windows in disrepair, wardrobe would not close, but... We thought, what the hell, its a bed for the night... Went out with friends who had booked cottages near by (wish we did the same) and after a wonderful night, we returned to settle down in our room.... Arrived again to another locked door and no staff, pressed the bell many times, and again no response. If we did not have friends staying nearby, we would have been totally stuck as our car keys were in our room that we could not access... So, we stayed with our friends, and walked back to said hotel the next morning, again the door is locked, but after many presses on the bell, someone finally came... After telling this man of our experience, his response was "oh dear" We got our cases from our UNUSED room and left. I called the next day, as I obviously wanted a refund, to be told it was our fault for not telling them we were having a night out! When do Hotels have parental rights to Adult Customers? Rude Staff, unable to use the room we paid for, dangerous access (no lights) and a room that was way below standard.