Blencowe Hall
Reign in style in this majestic Cumbrian castle. It’s steeped in history but offers contemporary five-star luxury.
- Sleeps: 24
A 14th-century castle renovated for modern living
Crenellated towers rise up as you approach. Buttressed walls silvered with lichen welcome you through an archway to a cobbled courtyard. Blencowe has impact. After drinks on the terrace, summon guests with the castle gong to a banquet by glittering candlelight in the claret dining hall overlooking the gardens and Cumbrian bluffs beyond. The kitchens and butler’s pantry are ample for whipping up feasts or bringing in caterers on a lavish scale. Catch up for quiet conversation in the Oak Room snug or shoot the breeze in the Billiards Room under the glow of a Tiffany lamp.
A bit of Blencowe history
All self-respecting castles have a story. Blencowe’s no exception. So gather your guests around roaring log fires in the Solar Room that spans an entire wing, crack open wine and delicacies from your welcome hamper and regale. When Cromwell’s men attempted to storm Greystoke, they stumbled on Blencowe instead. Cannon fire split the North Tower in two. Their idiocy is your gain. The dramatic V-shaped chasm, now shored with glass, is an award-winning architectural feature of the multi-million pound restorations, allowing light and modernity to flood inside.
Bedrooms and bathrooms
As bats swoop the dusk outside, climb the wide spiral staircase to five-star comfort in the tower bedrooms. Unwind in a claw-footed bath, rest a while on a chaise longue or sink into your four-poster. With carved beds, stone fireplaces, Elizabethan beams and mullioned windows, you feel the history at every turn. If you don’t do stairs, choose from the ground floor bedrooms with chandeliers and private gardens. And if you don’t do antique, there’s the cutting-edge renovations of Cromwell’s Folly suite or glass-screened bathing area of the West Range Master Bedroom. Wherever you choose to drift off, it’ll be under feather down duvets and Egyptian cotton and accompanied by the soft bleats of Lakeland sheep.
If you can bear to leave…
Beyond the labyrinthine stairways and passages, explore the rolling countryside with your hounds at your heels. (Dogs are always welcome at Blencowe.) Along the Eden Valley, ancient stone circles and Lacy’s Caves keep the mystery alive. Or get down to earth and muddy, hiking and biking the hills and fells. Mess about in boats on the Lakes – Ullswater’s a ten-minute drive away. Take a spin along the A66, voted top in The Telegraph’s Five Most Beautiful British Drives. Shoot grouse on the moors and fish for brown trout along the Pettrill River. Stroll into Greystoke village to tour the castle Cromwell’s army missed and enjoy a local brew at The Boot and Shoe.
See Inside
See Outside
Take the tour
For full details of twins, doubles and en-suites
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
Facilities
Find Availability
Browse availability for Blencowe Hall - select your dates and click Enquire to contact one of The Rowley Estates team.
Booking direct guarantees the best rates.
Rates range from £44 per person per night based full occupancy of the double bedrooms for a 3 night mid-week stay in the early spring season.
North Tower & Central Range Rooms
Accessed via ornately carved masonry doorways are the two ground floor ensuite bedrooms in the North Tower
South Tower & West Range Rooms
5 bedroom suites with luxurious bathrooms, occupying entire floors and offering spectacular views over the grounds.
Blencowe Gardens
Blencowe Hall sits on a bluff above the river Petterill and is surrounded by its own gardens, grounds and fields.
Weddings at Blencowe Hall
Kitchens made for banquets, gardens overlooking the Eden Valley and castle bedrooms with antique four-posters. Your guests will be awestruck.
Blencowe Hall Restoration
Before and after pictures of the multi-award-winning restoration programme at Grade 1 listed Blencowe Hall
Blencowe Hall Byre Function Room
A spacious open plan function and reception space offered on an exclusive use basis for guests of The Rowley Estates
Latest Reviews
What a place!! We have just spent a memorable few days here celebrating my 60th birthday with friends and it…
Jane30/03/2023email
We had an amazing stay. Christine was so lovely and helpful with giving us information on what to do in…
Natasha20/03/2023Google
If you like your mediaeval castle to also be warm and welcoming, with hot powerful showers, as well as stunning…
Paul06/03/2023Google
Need more space for your group?
Cazenovia Hall (sleeps 8) , Riverain Coach House (sleeps 6) , Wythburn Cottage (sleeps 6) are nearby
Things to Do & Services
Walks and Runs from Blencowe
Discover our tailor made routes starting right from Blencowe Hall and its cottages, including a ramble to Greystoke Castle.
Guest catering: Rowley Recommends...
While you’re away, rediscover the pleasure of entertaining at home. Celebrating with friends, family and colleagues is easy at the Rowley Estates.
Bike Hire & Cycle Routes near the Rowley Estates
These local businesses around Glassonby, Melmerby and Blencowe will help get you out of the house and onto a bike! Here are a few of our favourites.