Perched at the upper reaches of Boroughgate in Appleby, in the Eden Valley at the edge of the Lake District, is the Norman Appleby Castle, set among 25 acres of picturesque enclosed parkland. One of the UK’s most historic castles, the Grade I-listed building features sandstone walls beneath a pitched slate and lead roof. The 12th-century motte and bailey castle also comes complete with a Norman keep, a 13th-century round tower, three cottages, offices, a tennis court and fishing rights on the River Eden at its foot.


With 22 bedrooms and 19 bathrooms, the historic castle has plenty of room for hosting parties or, as is currently the case, for paid accommodation. The castle also features a 15th-century dining room with soaring ceilings, as well as a Great Hall from the same period; a second Great Hall dates back to the 12th century. As well as its many period features, the main building also features plenty of modern amenities, including a gym, a hot tub and sauna room, a games room as well as plenty of store rooms.


Three external cottages form part of the walls of the inner bailey, two of which are two-bedroom, and all three of which feature open-plan living spaces, adding extra accommodation. Owned by the Kings of England and Scotland, tucked in the breathtaking landscape of the Lake District Appleby Castle is a unique relic from medieval England.


Appleby is an attractive market town in the upper Eden Valley. The county town of the ancient Royal borough of Westmorland has a range of shops, restaurants and pubs, a train station, a Primary and a Secondary School. Lake Ullswater, a famous beauty spot, is 20 minutes drive away and there are many national walking trails on the doorstep. Leisure facilities include a swimming pool, an 18-hole golf course, a football pitch, a cricket field, squash courts and a bowling green. The Eden Valley is also particularly popular with shooting parties. Penrith, a popular market town, is 12 miles away and is known as the Gateway to the North Lakes.