Take a tour of
Scargill Castle
“What a happy place. I really don’t want to leave. Everything is so beautifully done, you’ve thought of everything. Thank you.”
The accommodation is full of historic character but with all the cosiness and comfort expected in the 21st century. Under floor heating and cast iron radiators will ensure that your stay is cosy all year round and the wood burning stove will be ready to light on your arrival. You will find a tea tray set with home baking and a hamper of food and wine ready to enjoy.
Living Room
A cosy room with floors, ceiling and door all in oak. A wood burning stove set within the Tudor fireplace supplements the central heating and two large armchairs and an oak bateau lit couch provide relaxing seating around the fire. Don’t worry about wood to get your fire started, we provide the logs. Occasional tables are ready for the tea tray and a television/DVD is provided if you need to hold on to the 21st century. A carefully selected range of books, old and new, provide entertainment and knowledge – why not sit in the window seat while you peruse them?
Kitchen
The stone floored kitchen has an electric cooker, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, microwave and storage space together with a beautiful corner cupboard and 18th century table. The kitchen units are hand made by Anthony Nixon of Barnard Castle in ash and beech. Oak framed windows on two sides fill the kitchen with light. A full equipment list will be provided when you book.
Bathroom
The bathroom has a high level cistern loo, roll topped bath with cast iron legs, sink, electric shower and underfloor heating to keep the Travertine tiles warm and cosy. An antique washstand decorated with tiles depicting a picturesque scene of a ruined abbey adds to the historic, but opulent character of this room. The magnificent silver framed mirror, chandeliers and wall sconces reflect the gentle light.
Bedroom
A double bed with carved oak head and foot boards, antique oak furniture and gentle mood lighting create a romantic retreat, all within a room open to the beams and with floors of polished oak scattered with Persian rugs. Listen to your music on the iPod dock or enjoy the views from the windows which overlook the Tudor gardens and the Teesdale landscape
Dining Room
Through the massive archway and down two steps and you are in the dining room. Five hundred years ago, horse drawn carts and pedestrians once passed through here into the castle courtyard. Today it is rather different. The stone slab floors remain, but now they are warmed with under floor heating; this is especially popular with visiting dogs! A long oak table with majestic seats provides a suitable place to dine in style.
Spiral Stair
This is not for the infirm! Stone steps encircle upwards to the living room and then higher to the bedroom. An iron banister made by local blacksmith Brian Russell of Little Neasham Forge helps you on your way.
“Thank you for all the little touches, the flowers in every room, and for giving us a sense of being cherished and cared for. We would love to return.”
The grand arched doorways from the courtyard garden lead into a sunny entrance hall. From here you can step into the dining hall with its long oak table and candles; take a moment to admire the ornate roof beams from oak trees felled around 1550! Why not make your stay especially memorable by booking a Tudor Banquet and dine in style? The sunny kitchen overlooks the Tudor gardens and is well equipped with modern day features such as microwave and dishwasher, locally handmade kitchen units and antique furniture.
“I came here with my girlfriend … and left with my fiancée!!”
The lavish bathroom is equipped with a roll top bath, shower, antique wash stand with a waterfall tap and a loo with high level cistern. Candle sconces on the wall create a romantic ambience to help you relax in the bath, perhaps with a glass of champagne?
“What an excellent attention to detail! We’ve loved the romance and peacefulness here.”
The stone spiral stair leads up to the living room with polished oak floors, a wood burning stove set within a Tudor fireplace and two small windows overlooking the Tudor gardens to the east and the rolling landscape of Teesdale to the west. Languish on the bateau lit sofa, read in the window seat or doze in the warm embrace of the armchairs in front of a roaring fire.
Further up the spiral staircase is the romantic bedroom with oak double bed on polished oak floors and Persian rugs. The rich colours reflect the Tudor love for golds, reds and rich greens which are highlighted with mood lighting enhancing the timber beams above. Enjoy a champagne breakfast in bed or listen to the wind outside knowing that you are safe and snug in your Tudor retreat.
Courtyard Entrance, Garden & Byres
Peaceful & Private
Dining Room
The courtyard garden has been created out of the ruins of the Tudor Manor House and includes a herb garden and a raised box hedged lined flower bed with seasonal vegetables. Please help yourself to produce when it is available. A BBQ is positioned in a sheltered corner and seating is located throughout the garden and additional sun loungers can be found in the byre. The byre houses a laundry room with washing machine and tumble dryer.
The courtyard was the medieval and Tudor courtyard, once surrounded with buildings – these are now ruinous. The 19th century byre on the north side not only sits on the site of a medieval and Tudor building, but provides your sustainable energy via its solar panel roof and air source heat pump.
Scargill Castle. c/o Marian Cottage, Lartington, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 9BP.
Tel: 01833 650233 Mobile: 07773 195686 Email: info@aenvironment.co.uk