EDEN'S Augill Castle has been named Family Hotel of the Year in what have been dubbed the Oscars of the hotel industry.

The castle, at Kirkby Stephen, was honoured with a Cesar Award for 2016 by The Good Hotel Guide.

Simon Bennett, who owns the castle with his wife Wendy, said: "We are over the moon to have won a Cesar award in our eighteenth year of business.

"During that time we have been fortunate to have won several high profile awards but a Cesar Award is the one we have always coveted."

In August, the castle - built in 1841 and set in 12 acres of private grounds - was put on the market for £2.5 million.