Homebuyers inspired by Mark Zuckerberg’s reported purchase of a Gothic castle in Ireland can pick up their own slice of history in Britain – without necessarily needing a tech billionaire’s fortune.
The Meta founder has reportedly acquired Strancally Castle in County Waterford, a 19th-century Gothic property overlooking the River Blackwater, with reports putting the estate’s potential value at between €20 million and €30 million.
Rural property portal LandSale says the median asking price of castles currently listed across Great Britain is a rather more attainable £2 million.
It has highlighted three of the most striking currently available – including an entire Scottish island.
YORKSHIRE CASTLE FOR £7M
Kirby Knowle Castle near Thirsk is being marketed for £7 million.
The Grade II-listed property sits within 65.56 acres and provides seven bedrooms, five bathrooms and up to five reception rooms, alongside a cinema, games room, wine cellar, gym and steam room.
The estate also includes woodland, paddocks and a detached two-bedroom cottage.
For £5.5 million, buyers can instead acquire the 1,110-acre Shuna Island off Scotland’s west coast.
Being offered for sale for the first time after 80 years in the same family, the island includes the remains of Shuna Castle (main picture) and eight residential properties providing 27 bedrooms.
It also has a private pier, slipways and helipad.
£2M ENTRY POINT
Bellister Castle in Haltwhistle, Northumberland, is available for offers above £2 million.
The Grade I-listed, six-bedroom castle sits in around 4.5 acres within 1,200 acres of National Trust parkland and includes a restored two-bedroom lodge and more than 6,500 sq ft of former farm buildings.
PRICE TAG
Adam Morris, Founder of LandSale, says: “Mark Zuckerberg’s latest purchase might sit at the extreme end of the property market, but you certainly don’t need to be a tech billionaire to own your own castle.
“Our data shows that the typical castle currently listed across Great Britain carries a £2m price tag and, for that, buyers are getting almost 50 acres on average. That’s obviously still an incredibly significant investment, but perhaps not quite the stratospheric figure many people would associate with owning an actual castle.
“What’s particularly fascinating about this corner of the market is the sheer variety of what’s available. You could spend £7m on a beautifully restored Yorkshire castle with more than 65 acres, £5.5m on an entire Scottish island complete with castle ruins, or look around the £2m mark for a Grade I-listed castle steeped in centuries of history.
“Of course, owning a castle brings very different considerations to buying a conventional home, particularly when it comes to maintenance, running costs and listed status. But for those with the means and the appetite for something truly unique, there are some remarkable opportunities currently available.”
