Cumbrian hotel, Augill Castle, has recently been named as the number one castle in the world to stay in on global travel website Airbnb – it was also rated as the number one most ‘wish listed’ property in the UK.
The popular accommodation website has announced its top ten most wish listed properties in the UK, as selected by its hundreds of millions of users all over the globe, and Augill Castle sits at the very top.
Situated near Kirkby Stephen, the friendly and eclectic hotel is owned by Simon and Wendy Bennett, who have pioneered the concept of the sharing economy, having invited guests into their family home at Augill Castle for twenty years. The castle is a place where all the usual hotel rules are totally absent – its meals are like dinner parties with friends
By connecting those searching for accommodation to those with spare lodgings, Airbnb has capitalised on the sharing economy since its launch in 2009 by allowing people to open up their homes to paying guests – something that the Bennett’s at Augill Castle have been doing since 1997.
In response to the Airbnb news, Simon said: “We are absolutely thrilled, Airbnb is a huge international site and it’s not everyday that you find yourself owning the number one most sought after castle in the world. It’s fantastic to see that so many people think Augill is as wonderful as we do.”
Simon added: “Airbnb is massively helping to change perceptions about tourism offerings, but this is something that has been going on at Augill for years. Suddenly this concept is trendy, but in reality we haven’t changed a thing.”
Built in 1840 as a gentleman’s venue for entertaining, Augill Castle has 15 rooms and 20 acres of land for guests to explore. With turrets, a great hall and even an art deco cinema, Augill is a perfectly unique destination that combines the grandeur of a castle with a down-to-earth and relaxed atmosphere.
Airbnb is an online marketplace for short-term lodgings and vacation rentals, and has over 150 million users.