|
History
Augill Castle, in the Upper Eden Valley stands in open country,
little changed for centuries The castle's backdrop is the dramatic
North Pennines with gardens opening out to views of the nearby Yorkshire
Dales and the Lakeland fells beyond.
Since its building in 1841 as a Victorian gentleman's country residence,
Augill Castle has seen its fair share of colourful incumbents, not
least the man whose vision the castle first was.

It was constructed
on behalf of John Bagot Pearson, the eldest of two brothers; he
was determined to build a bigger and better house overlooking the
family pile at Park House after a sibling row.
His vision was of a weekend retreat where he could entertain his
friends in a style reminiscent of a Medieval royal banquet.
|

|
The result is wonderfully over-the-top, with turrets, arched fairy-tale
windows, a castellated tower and monstrously large rooms.
By the early twentieth century, the castle had become an established
local landmark and was very well equipped for houses of the day.
In Country Life of September 1919, the castle was advertised for
sale thus:
"In the
healthy and beautiful Eden Valley, Augill Castle, a handsome stone
built Mansion in excellent repair, most comfortable to live in and
inexpensive to maintain.
The Castle contains spacious oak panelled living hall, dining and
drawing rooms... servants' hall, kitchens, larders, pantries, dairy
and the various other convenient rooms and offices belonging to
a well-equipped Country House. Price for the whole, including landlord's
fixtures, £7,750."
|