Stay 
Cross Fell and the North Pennines
approx. 14 km
The highest mountain in the Pennines and the highest point in England outside the Lake District, in the North Pennines landscape.
Photo: Carl Bendelow, CC BY-SA 2.0
Appleby Castle: sleep in a castle above the River Eden in Cumbria
Appleby Castle overlooks the River Eden in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria. Its 12th-century keep, Caesar’s Tower, and a later mansion house stand together in a courtyard ringed by curtain walls, and both are Grade I listed. According to the Expedia listing, guests can stay overnight here, in a castle with a garden, tea room and bar.
At a glance
- Location
- Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, above the River Eden; the railway station is about an 11-minute walk away
- Accommodation
- Castle described by Expedia as a castle for an overnight stay, with individually furnished rooms; three buildings on three floors
- Highlights
- Norman keep (Caesar’s Tower), Grade I listed mansion, garden, restaurant, tea room, residents’ bar, free parking
- Guest rating
- 7.8/10 from 161 reviews on Expedia (as of 14 Oct 2026)
- Check-in & check-out
- Check-in 3 pm to 11.30 pm (late check-in at certain times) · check-out by 10.30 am
- Good to know
- No pets · cooked breakfast at extra cost · no lift · non-smoking
Staying at Appleby Castle: a night in a Norman castle
To stay at Appleby Castle is to sleep within the walls of a real medieval stronghold. Expedia lists a castle of three buildings on three floors, with Tudor-style architecture and individually furnished rooms. Photos in the listing show four-poster beds, stone fireplaces and traditionally furnished rooms, as well as a banqueting hall used for celebrations.
Rooms are described as soundproofed, with free Wi-Fi, bedding and towels provided, free toiletries and mineral water, a hairdryer, and a kettle for tea and coffee. Daily housekeeping is included, and the front desk is staffed at certain times. Downstairs, the listing mentions a restaurant, a tea room, a coffee shop and a residents’ bar, as well as a garden and a picnic area.
Guests can also look forward to a whirlpool and massage, and the listing mentions fishing, horse riding and a games room as on-site activities. There is no lift, so upper floors are reached by stairs.
Photos of Appleby Castle
The history of Appleby Castle
- Early 12th century – Ranulf le Meschin founds the castle above the River Eden.
- c. 1170 – The square stone keep known as Caesar’s Tower is built.
- 1174 – The castle is in royal hands when William the Lion of Scotland invades the Eden Valley; the constable surrenders without a fight.
- 1203 – King John grants the castle to Robert I de Vipont.
- 1264 – Roger de Clifford inherits it through his marriage to Isabel de Vipont; the Clifford family hold it for nearly 400 years.
- 1617 – King James I stays at the castle between visits to Brougham Castle and Wharton Hall.
- 1648–1653 – The castle is partly dismantled after a siege by Parliamentary forces, then restored by Lady Anne Clifford in 1651–53.
- 1686–1695 – The Earls of Thanet turn the hall block into a classical mansion; the north-west wing is added in 1695.
- 1970s to 1990 – The castle is restored and a rare breeds survival centre is established in its grounds.
Caesar’s Tower is built of grey stone rubble and ashlar, stands about 24 m high and has four storeys. The mansion house has two wings at right angles, with a semicircular round tower on the north wall and a large square tower at the south end of the east wing. Parts of the north wall date from the 13th century, and the eastern part of the house from 1454.
The gateway to the courtyard and two adjoining cottages are also Grade I listed, and in the grounds stands Lady Anne’s Beehouse, a small two-storey stone building from the mid-17th century. According to Wikipedia, the castle and grounds are open to the public during specified hours, and the keep houses the Norman Centre, a museum and interactive experience.
Facilities and services at Appleby Castle
The details below come from the Expedia listing (as of 14 Oct 2026); room details may vary from room to room.
Rooms
- Individually furnished, soundproofed rooms
- Free Wi-Fi and wired internet in all rooms
- Bedding and towels provided
- Free toiletries and mineral water
- Hairdryer, kettle for tea and coffee, iron on request
- Central heating and daily housekeeping
Food & drink
- Restaurant, tea room and coffee shop
- Residents’ bar
- Cooked breakfast at extra cost
- Picnic area
Castle & grounds
- Garden
- Banqueting hall and wedding service
- Two meeting rooms and a 50 m² conference centre
- Whirlpool and massage
- Fishing, horse riding, pool table and games room
Service
- Free parking without service (limited spaces)
- Luggage storage
- Concierge service and help with tours and tickets
- Front desk staffed at certain times
- Hearing assistance systems
- No lift; non-smoking property
Where Appleby Castle is: on the River Eden in Cumbria
The castle stands in the town of Appleby-in-Westmorland, in the Eden Valley in Cumbria, overlooking the River Eden. According to Expedia, Appleby railway station is an 11-minute walk away and Carlisle Airport about 45 minutes by car. The Yorkshire Dales National Park is some 4.7 km away, according to the listing.
In the town itself you will find St Lawrence’s Church, the Moot Hall and Shire Hall, and the pubs and bakery named in the listing are 5 to 10 minutes on foot. Further out, the North Pennines rise towards Cross Fell, the highest point in the Pennines, and the towns of Penrith and Kendal open the way to the Lake District.
Brougham Castle, the High Force waterfall and Ullswater are all within about 30 km, which makes Appleby Castle a handy base for a few days of castles, fells and lakes.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Distances (as the crow flies from Appleby Castle)
| St Lawrence’s Church, Appleby | approx. 400 m |
| Appleby-in-Westmorland (town centre) | approx. 500 m |
| Appleby railway station | approx. 700 m |
| Appleby Friary | approx. 800 m |
| Cross Fell | approx. 14 km |
| Brougham Castle | approx. 17 km |
| Penrith | approx. 20 km |
| High Force | approx. 21 km |
| Ullswater | approx. 27 km |
| Kendal | approx. 32 km |
Distances are calculated as the crow flies; walking and driving times to the station and airport are taken from the Expedia listing.
Things to see around Appleby Castle
Brougham Castle
approx. 17 km
A medieval castle about 3 km south-east of Penrith, founded in the early 13th century by Robert I de Vieuxpont near the meeting of the Eamont and Lowther.
Photo: Michael D Beckwith, CC0
Penrith
approx. 20 km
A market town just outside the Lake District National Park, about 27 km south of Carlisle, with the Clock Tower on its Market Square.
Photo: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0
High Force waterfall
approx. 21 km
A waterfall on the River Tees near Middleton-in-Teesdale, in the North Pennines; the whole river plunges about 21 m (70 ft).
Photo: StoatBringer, public domain
Ullswater
approx. 27 km
A glacial lake in the Lake District, the region’s second largest by area and volume, about 11 km long.
Photo: Christine Matthews, CC BY-SA 2.0
Kendal
approx. 32 km
A market town on the River Kent, just outside the Lake District, with tightly packed historic streets.
Photo: Humphrey Bolton, CC BY-SA 2.0
Tours & activities near Appleby Castle
Experiences in the region that you can book online with Viator:
High Adventure Mountain Passes & Muncaster Castle from Windermere
Your adventure begins with a scenic drive through the picturesque Langdale Valley, with a photo stop at Blea Tarn. Continue to the dramatic Wrynose …
View details ›
Private Sailing Experience on Lake Windermere
Charter a skippered yacht for a 2 hour sailing experience, get involved and take control of the yacht or just sit back and enjoy the stunning scenery …
View details ›
Private Sail and Dine Experience on Lake Windermere
Experience the exclusivity of chartering a 10 metre Oceanis Clipper sailing yacht on England's largest natural lake, Windermere. Get involved as much …
View details ›
Yorkshire Dales from Windermere
Explores the very best of the Yorkshire Dales in one day! Discover the dramatic limestone valleys and emerald countryside of the Yorkshire Dales …
View details ›
All Creatures Great and Small from Windermere
Discover the timeless beauty of the Yorkshire Dales, a landscape brought to life in All Creatures Great and Small. Travel through Wensleydale to the …
View details ›
Tales of the Lake District: A Self-Guided Drive Around Windermere
Soak up the splendour of England’s largest lake, Windermere, on a scenic self-guided audio tour of the Lake District. • Find out how Beatrix Potter …
View details ›
Private Sailing Experience on Lake Windermere
Experience the exclusivity of chartering a 10 metre Oceanis Clipper sailing yacht on England's largest natural lake, Windermere. Get involved as much …
View details ›
Private Half Day Sailing Experience on Lake Windermere
Charter a skippered yacht for a 4 hour sailing experience, get involved and take control of the yacht or just sit back and enjoy the stunning scenery …
View details ›Who is Appleby Castle for?
History lovers
A 12th-century keep, a mansion house and curtain walls, all in one courtyard, with ties to Lady Anne Clifford.
Walkers and nature lovers
The Eden Valley, the North Pennines and the Yorkshire Dales are close, and Cross Fell is about 14 km away.
Celebrations and weddings
The listing mentions a banqueting hall, a wedding service, meeting rooms and a conference centre.
Rail travellers
Appleby railway station is an 11-minute walk from the castle, so the stay works without a car.
Good to know before booking Appleby Castle
- Check-in is from 3 pm to 11.30 pm, with late check-in possible at certain times; check-out is by 10.30 am.
- Pets are not allowed.
- A cooked breakfast is available at an extra charge per person.
- On-site parking is free but without service, and spaces are limited.
- There is no lift, and the property has three floors. For accessibility requests, contact the property via the booking confirmation.
- The property is non-smoking.
Find available dates at Appleby Castle
Frequently asked questions
Can you stay overnight at Appleby Castle?
Yes. Appleby Castle is listed on Expedia as a castle with rooms, set in Appleby-in-Westmorland in Cumbria.
Are pets allowed at Appleby Castle?
No. According to Expedia, pets are not allowed.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 3 pm to 11.30 pm, with late check-in possible at certain times. Check-out is by 10.30 am.
Is there parking at Appleby Castle?
Yes, parking on site is free and without service, with a limited number of spaces.
How far is the railway station?
Appleby railway station is about an 11-minute walk from the castle, according to Expedia.
What is there to see near Appleby Castle?
Brougham Castle is about 17 km away, Penrith about 20 km, High Force about 21 km and Ullswater about 26 km.
Room photos, guest reviews and available dates are all in the Appleby Castle listing on Expedia.
Want to sleep within the walls of a Norman castle? Check availability and current prices for Appleby Castle on Expedia.
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