Living in a home steeped in heritage and history is a little bit special.
With castellated walls, arrow-slit windows, grand fireplaces and turrets, castles are full of history and charm.
They might look like something out of a fairy tale but here are some real-life castles you can buy today.
1. Four-bed castle, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, £675,000
As castles come, Dundarg Castle is on the dinky side. It might look as if it has been here since the Middle Ages, but it was built in the 1930s.
Those of you familiar with the first series of The Crown might have spotted Dundarg Castle as it features in an episode where the royal car drives through Scottish countryside.
With its striking coastal location overlooking a ruined medieval fortress, there’s plenty of history here despite the castle building itself being relatively new.
The original 13th-century fortress is believed to have been used by Robert the Bruce before it was destroyed in a siege in 1334.
With a moat, four bedrooms and a tower room, the castle overlooks two stunning shingle beaches and includes about 15 acres of surrounding land.
The decor and woodwork are largely original and the oak panelling is gorgeous, alongside the beautiful gothic-style doors and windows.
Available via Savills
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2. 22-bedroom castle, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria, £9.5m
Appleby Castle dates back to Norman times and is set among 25 acres of picturesque enclosed parkland.
Perched at the upper reaches of Boroughgate in Appleby, in the Eden Valley at the edge of the Lake District, this 12th-century motte and bailey castle has an original Norman keep and a 13th-century round tower.
Among the grounds, there are three cottages, offices, a tennis court and fishing rights on the River Eden.
With 22 bedrooms and 19 bathrooms, there’s plenty of room for hosting parties or, as is currently the case, paid-for accommodation.
The castle has a 15th-century dining room with soaring ceilings, as well as a Great Hall from the same period. And there's even a smaller second Great Hall dating back to the 12th century.
But today this castle has been brought bang up to date with a gym, hot tub and sauna room, as well as a games room.
And there's plenty of room for guests: three lovely open-plan, modern cottages form part of the walls of the inner bailey, each with two-bedrooms.
Available via Sotheby’s Realty
3. Five-bedroom apartment in Yannon Tower, Teignmouth, Devon, £900,000
If you like your castles in a town centre location and with admirable sea views, then Yannon Tower should be on your radar.
Set right in the centre of Teignmouth, and just 13 miles from Exeter, Yannon Tower offers a sizeable (and rather fairy-tale) escape, with all the shops, cafes and restaurants of Exeter nearby.
Believed to have been built in 1851, this baronial castle style offers a real sense of past grandeur.
According to the estate agents, it was home to a well-connected family in the first part of the 20th century, who generously played host to plenty of notable film stars at the time.
In 2009, the building was converted to three dwellings and this apartment now forms the main part of it.
With crenulations and castellations, a turret, oriel-style windows, finials, gargoyles, mullion windows and a grand entrance door with a dressed stonework surround, there are plenty of castle-core features to enjoy.
Available via Dart & Partners
4. Four-bed castle, Bicester, Oxfordshire, £1.175m
This beautiful countryside gem can be found in Steeple Aston, an attractive north Oxfordshire village located within the Cherwell valley.
Just 13 miles outside of Oxford and 10 miles from Banbury, this Grade II listed wing of Steeple Aston Grange was originally built in 1720.
Today, this gothic retreat, with sculptures, gargoyles and friezes galore, is a stunning family home with high, vaulted ceilings, grand fireplaces and stunning formal gardens.
Light, airy and quintessentially English, this rural retreat is spread over four floors and would make a fabulous family home, especially if you love a great garden.
Available from John D Wood and Co - Oxford Sales
5. 14-bed castle, Biggar, Scottish Borders, £3.6m
Enter, Hartree House, one of the most beautifully renovated castles we've ever seen.
With origins dating back to the 14th century, this stellar Category C listed country mansion has today been impeccably restored.
Its Georgian and Victorian heritage, including an impressive tower and battlements has become a family home and has also been used an exclusive use wedding venue.
It even has the best eco credentials, since the current owners have installed ground source heating (2 x 30kW heat pumps) and solar panels, double glazing and new insulation throughout.
And it can boast the latest tech: an audio and visual matrix has been added throughout the main house and ancillary flats, plus rewiring and installation of intruder, fire, emergency lighting and door entry systems, all supported by super-fast Wi-Fi throughout the Estate.
In addition, there's a penthouse sweet and luxury three-bed apartment: The White House, while the formal and informal gardens include orchards bearing pears, apples, plums and more.
Available from Savills - Edinburgh Country Houses
6. 11-bed castle, Boughrood, Brecon, £2.4m
Boughrood Castle boasts a bucolic setting overlooking the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Black Mountains.
This Grade II-listed country house was built in 1817 in the grounds of the original Boughrood Castle, from which it takes its name.
It features spacious and light-filled rooms with tall windows, high ceilings, moulded cornicing, fine fireplaces, a striking staircase, and a variety of busy and bold patterned wallpaper.
It sits within 18 acres of rolling Welsh countryside. You’ll need to roll your sleeves up though.
It comes with three cottages that have been empty for several years and require upgrading, according to the selling agent.
Available from Fine & Country
7. Five-bed castle, Stowe, Buckingham, £3.95m
Stowe Castle certainly looks the part, with its 60ft castellated walls and Ogee arched doorways. Inside, the Grade II-listed house is very homely and comfortable thanks to a recent refurbishment.
Downstairs, there’s a kitchen, dining room, drawing room and family room. While upstairs, all the bedrooms have en suites, with the principal bedroom boasting a dressing room too. And there’s potential to update the attic on the second floor if needed.
No write-up of Stowe Castle would be complete without mentioning the helipad and the 2,700 sq ft ‘party barn’, which includes two eye-catching lounges, a playroom, and a pool room with a bar. There’s separate staff accommodation too.
Available from Knight Frank
8. Seven-bed castle, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, £6.95m
What a setting! Occupying a prime spot perched on a hill, this castle has “enjoyed what must be one of the best views of rural Yorkshire for over 700 years”, according to the agent.
The castle’s origins can be traced back to the 13th century, though it has been repaired, extended and improved on a number of occasions since. It’s even thought that Mary, Queen of Scots visited the castle several times.
The existing owners have completely overhauled it - and that’s no mean feat. The result is a castle that’s fit for modern (and some might say, luxurious) living, including a cinema room, gym, steam room, and wine cellar.
The castle also comes with a refurbished two-bedroom cottage, ideal for guests or staff. We imagine you’d need a helping hand keeping on top of this home!
Available from Knight Frank
9. Four-bedroom semi-detached castle-style house, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire, £1.4m
Technically this is a house but it is known as a “castle house”. According to the estate agent, these homes rarely become available.
This attractive home is located on a popular residential road in Henley-On-Thames, just 500m from the train station.
With its battlement-style architecture on the roof and iron railings between them, there is scope for adapting this space into a rooftop terrace (with the right permissions.)
The property offers high ceilings and tall windows throughout, while the modern open-plan kitchen breakfast room has a glazed door to the garden.
Adding to the castle vibes, this home has gated access to a driveway and a front garden set behind a high hedge giving privacy.
Meanwhile, the side return leads through to a split-level garden with a patio area and a lovely large lawn for summertime games.
Available via Davis Tate
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