Today, Simon & Wendy Bennett run the castle in a modern, informal style, with one over riding tenet: to do everything they can to ensure guests leave feeling they have stayed with friends.

Not here a formal reception desk to greet you but rather a friendly Labrador and a collection of comfy leather chairs around a roaring fire.

The castle provides the chance for you to step out of reality and into a more relaxed place altogether.

Wedding ceremonies can be held in of the castle’s four magnificent public rooms. But don’t expect uniform rows of chairs. Instead there are comfortable armchairs, sofas and well worn pieces of furniture to rest against.

“It was the next best thing to getting married in your own home… except it was a castle.”

It is a place where the background is of creaking floorboards, ticking clocks and distant laughter. Interesting antiques lurk in every corner, artefacts on every mantle have a genuine story to tell.

“Quirkiness and good taste seem perfectly compatible here.” -
Manchester Evening News

To achieve this, Augill is, above all things, a real home with children, cats and dogs, muddy boots kicked off by the door and toys tidied carelessly into a corner.

You can be part of all of this or they can keep yourself to yourself. Anything goes at Augill; anything that is but hushed tones and false formality.