Appleby Castle

A great experience, staying in a place awash with history. Really comfortable room. The evening dining was so good. Great food and to the background of the piano, just made it a very special experience.

We came, we saw, we left. We booked a table for dinner but the staff, furniture and state of the building put us off.

The chef Craig is a genius. The food is remarkable. We were greeted at the gate and made to feel most welcome. Our 8 month old was welcomed too (which not all restaurants bother with). About half way through our amazing starters we were treated to some very well played live piano music. Through the evening the owner and the chef were both out to chat to us. This was a true dining experience with food you would struggle to match anywhere. If I could give six stars I would

We stayed for one night 13th June 2026 (wish it had been more!) From the outset our stay was first rate.. Peter the house manager checked us in and showed us to our room which was pretty amazing and had a view of the castle and moat. Then we were free to have a wander and see more of the castle. The whole place was mesmerising. The rooms were astounding. We met Sally the owner who told us some more details about the castle and its history. Sally makes you feel at ease (and at home!!) immediately. She has a gift for that. The dining experience was unforgettable. Peter played the piano sweeping up and down the keyboard playing anything from Chopin to Sting and creating a very soothing and relaxing ambience. The food was delicious and served with precision and humour by Sally .The guests mingled and we made friends with the German and Swiss group we had met in the bar earlier. After dinner .I was encouraged by Sally to play the piano while Peter was serving wine! We ended up having a most enjoyable and fun musical evening . Who needs television?? . One of our new-found German friends sang to my piano accompaniment and the whole atmosphere was convivial and just genuine good fun. .To round off the evening Peter took us all into the bar and told us all about the castle .As well as serious historical facts his history lesson was peppered with little anecdotes and jokes from almost every era!. And all done without any notes. Bravo Peter! The only criticism I would have is that he needs to speak more loudly and clearly because apart from my husband and I the other guests were all speakers of English as a Second Language. Sometimes we could not catch what he said but remembering all that material must have been quite a feat. He was willing to repeat it when asked though. Our stay was authentic and far exceeded our expectations We exchanged contact details with our German and Swiss friends and after breakfast next day continued on our travels refreshed and relaxed and with great memories.. We highly recommend a stay at Appleby Castle. It is a historical oasis which takes you back in time and away from the stresses and strains of modern life!! We would also like to thank the wonderful cook who worked hard behind the scenes producing all the wonderful food that Sally brought to our tables.

had a very disappointing experience. The owner, Sally Nightingale, was rude and unprofessional throughout my dealings with the business. I was also concerned about the handling of my bank card details. After my details were retained on record, my bank later flagged activity as potential fraud. I have noticed other reviews raising similar concerns, which only adds to my worries. Additionally, I observed behaviour from a staff member, Peter Bass, that I found concerning and unprofessional. He appeared to be acting erratically and had a white substance visible around his nose. While I cannot confirm the cause, it did not inspire confidence in the business. The premises themselves were also in a poor state. Everything appeared dirty and neglected, with a noticeable layer of dust covering many surfaces. Based on my experience, I would not recommend this business.

We had a wonderful stay at Appleby Castle. The service was excellent from start to finish, and the room was perfect for what we wanted. A special mention must go to Sally and Peter, who were incredibly welcoming and friendly throughout our stay. They took the time to share some fascinating information about the castle and its history, which really enhanced the experience and made us feel at home from the moment we arrived. It's important to remember that this is a 900-year-old castle, not a modern chain hotel, and that's exactly what makes it so special. The character, history, and atmosphere are something you simply can't find in places like Premier Inn. Our room was comfortable and thoughtfully equipped. The bed was wonderful, with a deep, luxurious mattress that gave us a fantastic night's sleep. Fresh towels, hand wash, and other essentials were all provided, making the room feel welcoming and well cared for. The castle had a warm, relaxing feel throughout, and I particularly enjoyed the fact that there was no TV in the room. In today's world, it's so easy for people to have a conversation for 15 minutes and then go straight back to their screens. Without the distraction of a television, we found ourselves genuinely reconnecting, spending quality time together, talking, relaxing, and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. It was a refreshing change from everyday life and made our stay feel even more special. The grounds are huge and make for a fantastic walk, giving you plenty to explore while taking in the beauty and history of the estate. We also enjoyed a full breakfast, which was delicious and set us up perfectly for the day ahead. Unfortunately, we didn't have an evening meal at the castle as we wanted to spend our time exploring the local area. However, after hearing other guests talking about what an amazing experience they had and how much they enjoyed the food, we would definitely choose to dine there on our next visit. If you're looking for a stay full of charm, history, character, comfort, and a peaceful atmosphere, Appleby Castle is a fantastic choice. We would happily stay again and would highly recommend it to others

Rooms are absolutely stunning very beautiful, the rich antique collection of furniture, tapestries chandleries are gorgeous and all for enjoyment, have breathtaking views, comfortable, very clean. Absolutely wonderful staying we had full experience of history beauty comfort and greatest service which absolutely seems unreal. Very welcoming, your history experience opens up once you entry. Very rich antique collection rooms are gorgeous.Wonderful bar restaurant with delicious food wine list and the piano music, game room,& everything just made to make you feel soo good and special. Great location with breathtaking views, great play area. Recommend this 200% and thank soo very much, we will back!

Unique and quirky! Me and my partner had such an amazing time in this castle. The staff were so lovely, informative and welcoming. Food was delicious and the portions were brilliant! We stayed in the Evidence room - full of character we absolutely loved it! Ignore the previous reviews of people complaining about having no TVs, you’re staying in a castle, not a holiday inn, such an amazing and unique experience!