Appleby Castle: The Norman Centre, Hotel and Grounds

Appleby Castle: The Norman Centre, Hotel and Grounds The 11th century jewel in the Eden Valley. Hotel, restaurant and home to The Norman Centre: The UK's only Norman-Age educational centre.
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Deep in the heart of the Eden Valley, nestling alongside the meandering river Eden, stands Appleby Castle. This spectacular motte and bailey castle has been held by the Kings of England and Scotland and boasts one of the few remaining intact Norman keeps (not a ruin). Experience the tranquil stunning scenery of this special place. Stay in the historical rooms and dine in the 15th-century dining room or the 12th-century tavern. The Norman Centre and Grounds are open from 10am every day!

15/09/2026

This New Year’s Eve, the pipes will sound through Appleby Castle. 🏰

From 6pm, our Highland piper will perform throughout the Castle, moving through its historic rooms and halls before returning at midnight to bring in 2027.

Guests will dine in the Castle’s 15th-century Great Hall and Dining Room, beside roaring fires, before the evening continues with Castle history, celebration and dancing in the 12th-century Great Hall until 1:30am.

For those wishing to make a night of it, Castle rooms are also available for New Year’s Eve.

Tickets and Castle stays are now available.

https://www.applebycastle.org/new-years-eve/

11/09/2026

The seasons are beginning to change — and the Castle is still very much alive.

Explore nearly 1,000 years of history.
Walk the grounds.
See the historic rooms.
Enjoy dinner in the Castle.
And, if you really want to experience it, stay the night.

If you are visiting Cumbria, the Eden Valley or the Lake District — or looking for a memorable stop on the way to Scotland — come and discover somewhere rather different.

Appleby Castle — living history in the heart of Cumbria.

30/08/2026

🎃 **HALLOWEEN IS COMING TO APPLEBY CASTLE…** 👻

Would you spend the night investigating a **900-year-old castle after dark?**

When the doors close and the last visitors have gone, Appleby Castle becomes a very different place.

Ancient rooms. Dark corridors. Centuries of stories — and perhaps a few residents who never left…

Join us for a **Paranormal Night at Appleby Castle** and investigate one of Cumbria’s most historic buildings for yourself.

🔦 Explore the Castle after dark
👻 Take part in a paranormal investigation
🏰 Experience centuries of history at night
🌙 And discover what happens when the Castle falls silent…

**Are you brave enough?**

Places are limited.

🎟️ Book at **applebycastle.co.uk/events/paranormal**

26/08/2026

Follow in the footsteps of Lady Anne Clifford…

Across the wild landscapes of Cumbria, past Pendragon and Brough Castles, Lady Anne travelled home to Appleby Castle — the place that became so closely associated with her extraordinary life.

More than 350 years later, you can still make that journey.

Walk through the ancient gates. Explore centuries of history. Dine within the Castle walls — and, when the day is over, stay the night in a real Norman castle.

We have a limited number of rooms available between now and early September.

Come and experience Appleby Castle for yourself.

Book direct for the best available rates.

13/08/2026

Stay the Night in History

Spend the night in the State Room at Appleby Castle — surrounded by centuries of English history.

Sleep in an extraordinary historic bedroom, dine by candlelight with a live pianist, and wake inside a Norman castle in the heart of Cumbria.

For an anniversary, celebration, or simply an unforgettable night away.

The State Room from £300 per night.

Don’t just visit history. Stay in it.

Book direct at applebycastle.org

12/08/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at Appleby Castle for The HandleBards — and especially to our wonderful local community for coming out in such numbers and supporting live theatre at the Castle.

There was something rather special about watching Shakespeare performed beneath the walls of the Norman Keep — a fortress whose origins stretch back almost 1,000 years, with the Keep rebuilt in stone around 1100.

Shakespeare wrote for places filled with atmosphere, history, drama, intrigue and the occasional villain… so Appleby Castle seems a rather fitting stage.

Our thanks to The HandleBards for bringing Shakespeare to life with such energy, humour and imagination — and to everyone in the audience who made the evening such a success.

All’s well that ends well — thank you for joining us!

STAY THE NIGHT IN HISTORYSpend a night in the magnificent State Room at Appleby Castle — surrounded by centuries of hist...
10/08/2026

STAY THE NIGHT IN HISTORY

Spend a night in the magnificent State Room at Appleby Castle — surrounded by centuries of history in one of England’s great Norman castles.

Arrive through the castle gates, explore the historic surroundings, dine in the castle, and wake the following morning to breakfast in the Great Hall.

The State Room is available this August from £300 per night midweek.

A rare opportunity to experience the castle not simply as a visitor — but as a guest.

Book direct at Appleby Castle
applebycastle.co.uk

Tomorrow night at Appleby Castle — Macbeth beneath the castle walls.Join us from 6pm in the Old Great Hall for a homemad...
06/08/2026

Tomorrow night at Appleby Castle — Macbeth beneath the castle walls.

Join us from 6pm in the Old Great Hall for a homemade supper before the performance.

Choose from:

Pork belly in a roll with apple sauce
Mince and onion pie
Turkey and ham pie
Vegetable lasagne

One main plus sticky toffee pudding and cream — only £9.95.

Beers, wines, soft drinks, water and fruit juices will also be available.

Macbeth begins at 7pm in the Inner Bailey and will be performed outdoors.

📅 Friday 7 August
📍 Appleby Castle
🍽 Old Great Hall open from 6pm
🎭 Performance begins at 7pm

Come early, enjoy supper in the castle, then take your seats for an unforgettable evening of Shakespeare.

“A place awash with history.”Thank you to our recent guest for this wonderful review of their stay and evening dining ex...
31/07/2026

“A place awash with history.”

Thank you to our recent guest for this wonderful review of their stay and evening dining experience at Appleby Castle.

Historic rooms, exceptional food and dinner accompanied by the sound of the piano.

Discover Appleby Castle:
applebycastle.co.uk

28/07/2026

🏰 Stay Somewhere Extraordinary This Summer

Step inside nearly 1,000 years of history and experience Appleby Castle not simply as a visitor — but as a guest.

Spend the night within the historic castle walls, sleep in individually furnished period bedrooms, explore the grounds and discover what it feels like to live amongst centuries of English history.

✨ Historic castle bedrooms
🌳 Beautiful grounds in the Eden Valley
🍽️ Dining within the castle
🎹 Special evenings with live piano on selected dates
🏰 A truly unique alternative to an ordinary hotel stay

Whether you are planning a romantic escape, a summer break in Cumbria or somewhere unforgettable to stay while exploring the Lake District and Eden Valley, **make Appleby Castle part of your summer.**

☀️ Summer dates are now available — book your stay directly with Appleby Castle.

🌐applebycastle.org

Address

Appleby
CA166XH

Telephone

+441768330318

Website

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