King of the castle
There’s no punishment in being sent to the tower at these exquisite properties
Somerset, £2.25 million
Although tiny compared to most castles, 11-bedroom Bath Lodge Castle, in the village of Norton St Philip, near Bath, could hardly be described as small. It was built in 1806 in the late-norman style—complete with arrow slits and a huge timber front door—as the principal of six lodges to Farleigh, one of the largest estates in England. Although it’s been run as a boutique hotel—hence the cabaña in the grounds with hot tub and sauna, balconies, roof terrace, gym and colonialstyle staff-accommodation block—it could easily return to residential use. Savills (01225 474500)
Co Meath, €2.25 million (£1.99 million)
In 30 acres of picturesque parkland, impressive Dardisdown Castle, on the River Nanny, was built in the 15th century and the Battle of Julianstown (the name of the nearby village) is said to have taken place on the front lawn. It has since been much extended and has eight bedrooms. The area is popular with commuters to Dublin, Drogheda and Dundalk; it’s also within three different hunts and there are several golf courses close by. Christie’s Real Estate/ Sherry Fitzgerald (00 353 123 76300)
Isle of Coll, £450,000
This is ‘a unique opportunity to restore the finest Georgian castle in the Inner Hebrides,’ say the agents. In the Palladian style, with Gothic Baronial crenellated parapets and turrets, Breachacha Castle has six bedrooms and, currently, the vendors live on the top two floors, making the most of the outstanding Atlantic views. Bell Ingram (01631 566122)
North Yorkshire, £1.1 million
Travellers through the Vale of York can’t fail to notice the brooding, jagged ruins of Sheriff Hutton Castle, once one of the grandest in northern England and seat of government for Warwick the Kingmaker, Richard III and Henry VIII. Only its four corner towers and part of the gatehouse remain and the ruins adjoin Castle Farm: the Warden’s House has three bedrooms, there’s an annexe with one and Court Cottage (currently with tenants) has two. Surrounding grass and pasture extend to 11½ acres, including a double moat and natural ramparts. Boulton & Cooper Stephensons (01653 496928)
Edinburgh, £6 million
Fairytale Craigcrook Castle, in four acres of landscaped grounds, including mature woodland and a walled garden, just three miles from Edinburgh city centre, has a round tower with far-reaching views of Costorphine Hill, Blackhall and the Firth of Forth. In the 19th century, the castle became known for its cultural soirees and was visited by Charles Dickens, Hans Christian Andersen, George Eliot and Tennyson. Built in the 16th century and with six bedrooms, this is the first time it’s been up for freehold sale in 300 years. Sotheby’s International Realty (01932 860537)