W

ith all those turrets and the carefully manicured grounds, you’d be forgiven for expecting a formal reception when you first arrive here. However, the moment you meet the owners, Wendy and Simon (and their bounding black lab’, Holly) you instantly feel at home.

Although it has the trimmings of a country house hotel, the Bennetts are keen to point out that this is definitely a B&B – albeit one where the 14 rooms have quirks like a church pew beside the loo, a piano in the bathroom (great for a little tinkle) or an Indonesian blowpipe above your bed.

Mornings start slowly at Augill, so there’s no need to rush out of your (more-likely-than-not) four-poster bed in time for breakfast. It rarely kicks off before 9am, so your digestive system can really appreciate that Broughton Hall smoked salmon and the free-range eggs from the castle’s hens. A great start to a wonderfully lazy day.