Bringing Gigabit connectivity to a Victorian castle: How B4RN is supporting Augill Castle
Nestled just outside Kirkby Stephen, Augill Castle has been a family-run business for nearly three decades. When Wendy Bennett and her family moved to Cumbria 28 years ago, the castle became not just their home but the heart of a unique rural enterprise, welcoming guests from all over the world.
From weddings and celebrations to business retreats and family stays, the castle blends heritage with warm hospitality. But like many properties in the area, staying connected wasn’t always easy.
The challenge of staying connected
Running a modern hospitality business in a Victorian castle comes with its quirks, and for Augill, connectivity was one of the biggest.
Thick stone walls made it difficult to get reliable Wi-Fi from room to room, while older broadband struggled to keep up with the demands of the business.
“The building just wasn’t built for modern technology and our old broadband certainly wasn’t up for the challenge.”
Simple, everyday tasks - processing payments, managing bookings, uploading images - became slow and frustrating. And for guests, particularly those attending weddings or events, unreliable connectivity impacted their experience.
A community-led solution
That all changed when B4RN arrived. As a community-owned full fibre network, B4RN works alongside local landowners, residents and businesses to bring gigabit connectivity to places that are often overlooked.
For Augill Castle, the installation required coordination across surrounding land - something that could have been complex, but in practice reflected the strength of the community-led model.
“It was amazing,” says Wendy. “The team were brilliant. The follow-up, the communication - everything. For us it just worked, and once live, the transformation was immediate.”
From patchy signal to full coverage
With B4RN’s gigabit connection in place, and a tailored internal solution to work with the building’s structure, the castle now has fast, reliable Wi-Fi throughout.
From guest rooms to event spaces, connectivity is no longer a barrier - it’s an enabler.
“It was the first time we’d had proper, reliable coverage everywhere.”
For the team at Augill Castle, the impact has been immediate and far-reaching.
Bookings can be managed seamlessly through online systems
Payments are processed instantly on-site
Day-to-day operations run more efficiently
Guests can share their experiences in real time
“Most bookings come through the website or our third-party booking system. With this we feel so much more in control. The improved connectivity takes so much stress out of what we do. Everything is just… smoother.”
Supporting more than just the business
B4RN’s impact goes beyond the castle itself.
Augill is also a working farm and family home. With gigabit connectivity, the Bennett family now benefit from better access to education, entertainment, communication and the ability to share their story more widely.
“Having decent broadband means we can share what we do, reach further, and bring guests into the story of the place.”
What it means for rural communities
For B4RN, this is what success looks like.
Not just faster speeds but real, practical change:
Rural businesses able to grow and compete
Visitors enjoying a better, more connected experience
Families and communities staying linked to the wider world
“It doesn’t matter what kind of business you run - good connectivity lets you expand your reach. It benefits everyone.”
Customer Testimonial
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