Peckforton Castle

We went to Peckforton Castle in November for our birthdays, and it became one of the best hospitality experiences we’ve had in a long time. The standout was the tasting menu at 1851. The food was beautifully presented and thoughtfully balanced, with the venison, cheese and onion tart, and milk bread especially memorable. We left satisfied, which isn’t always how tasting menus go. I wouldn’t be surprised if they earn a star in future. The team made the whole visit feel special. Everyone we met was warm, professional and seemed to care about guests having a great time. Reception, both restaurants, the Wine Cellar Bar and breakfast were all handled brilliantly. We work in hospitality too, so we know how hard the industry has been over the past few years. Seeing this level of service and quality was all the more impressive. The castle is stunning, and we’d highly recommend a stay.

The rooms were beautiful and the whole place was spectacular. We attended a wedding here and found it a lovely venue. The food and bar are quite expensive, though I thought they were worth it as part of what felt like a finer dining experience. A few details during the wedding could have been handled better. There was just one person serving at the bar all night, so the wait could be long. After the wedding breakfast, tea and coffee were set out outside the main hall, but there were no spoons. We asked three times and waited about 20 minutes. In the evening, the finger food came without serviettes, and again we had to ask and wait around 20 minutes. These are minor things, but still details that could be improved.

The room placement made the night impossible. One of our rooms was directly above a wedding function, where loud music went on until around midnight and shook the room. Wedding guests also kept disturbing us in the hallway throughout the night. My parents were staying elsewhere in the castle and had a peaceful night, so the issue seemed to be putting leisure guests above an active event. We paid £500 for two rooms, £250 each, and around £200 at the restaurant, expecting the premium experience suggested by the prices and reputation. When I complained, I was told no other rooms were available and that the music would stop soon. They only removed drinks and service charges from the restaurant bill, which didn’t address the unsuitable room or the lost sleep. Peckforton Castle is undeniably a stunning building, but the poor planning and weak response were deeply disappointing. At these prices, I wouldn’t expect this to happen. I would not return.

The breakfast was delicious and had plenty of good options. I spent one night at Peckforton Castle, and it felt truly magical. Such a beautiful, atmospheric place, perfect for a wedding or a special getaway. The staff were friendly and helpful from the moment I arrived, which made the visit even nicer.