Castle, with its own chapel and bell tower, up for auction
AWELSH castle is going under the hammer this month. Westbury Castle, near Prestatyn, which is currently run as a successful wedding business with nine apartments, dates back to the 1800s and is set in 3.6 acres. In previous years the property has been up for sale, but it also included some extra buildings such as the dovecote, Westbury Lodge and eight acres, and there was a much larger price tag – roughly £4.95m.
However, the castle, which is being sold through Strutt and Parker, now has a guide price of £1.5m.
On February 15, the castle is going under the hammer at the Intercontinental Hotel on Park Lane, London, and it is also possible to register to bid remotely for parties who are unable to attend the auction in person.
Included in the sale is the Grade II*listed former castle – made up of a mansion house, servants’ flat and nine self-contained apartments in the west wing. Outside, there is a chapel with a bell tower along with an enclosed courtyard, garden and grounds.
At the moment, the property earns £68,340 per annum from the Mansion House and four flats, while the remainder are vacant.
“Ultimately it’s going to appeal to someone who is wanting to actually invest in property and see a return from it,” said Alastair Summerfield, associate partner at the Chester branch of Strutt and Parker.
“I don’t see it being bought by someone who wants to live in the whole castle, partly because it’s been split up into the wedding/holiday let venue and nine apartments. It could be quite a good return.”
The estate, between Gronant and Gwespyr, was home to the aristocratic Mostyn family.
The site was first occupied by a son of Baron Mostyn of Mostyn in the 15th century. In 1670, the title of “Baronet” was conferred on Edward Mostyn of Talacre by Charles II in gratitude for his support in the Ulster Campaign.
The Mostyns left in 1920. It was occupied by an order of Benedictine nuns as an abbey until the late 20th Century.