This year, the stars of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! have swapped the humidity and critters of Australia for Gwrych Castle in north Wales, thanks to the global pandemic and restrictions on travel.
The Grade I listed castle in Conwy was built in the 1800s and has been given an overhaul for this year’s show.
It is an impressive backdrop for the Bushtucker Trials as it is sat in 240 acres with imposing turrets and large stone archways.
Gwrych Castle in north Wales is home to this year’s contestants on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
The property is listed as having been sold in June 2018 with an asking price of £975,000.
It had fallen into a state of disrepair – although it was open to the public who could walk the grounds but not go inside the castle.
Ant and Dec are holding this year’s I’m A Celebrity from Gwrych Castle in north Wales
The celebrities have been taking part in Bushtucker Trials at the Welsh castle
Tom Parker, of property website Zoopla, said: ‘With I’m a Celebrity shifting location from sunny Australia to the incredible ruins of Gwrych Castle in north Wales, castles are very much on homeowners’ radars.
‘While rare, there are still some available for people who want a truly remarkable property with wow factor.
‘Living in a castle isn’t for the faint of heart, however. You’ll need a sense of adventure and deep pockets if you want to combine castle living with all the conveniences of a modern home.’
If you fancy moving into a castle of your own, we’ve picked eight that are currently for sale on property website Zoopla.
They include a ten-bedroom castle in Powys, Wales, which has an asking price of £2.85million, a sixteen-bedroom castle in Exeter, Devon, for £7.95million, and a three-bedroom version in Scotland’s Wigtownshire, with a much lower price tag of £395,000.
Buying a castle comes with a word of caution about the potential costs of renovation and maintenance, along with the restrictions imposed on changes to listed buildings.
Would you buy a castle? We’ve picked eight castles that are currently for sale on property website Zoopla
Jamie Macnab, of estate agents Savills, said: ‘Castles have evolved considerably over the centuries.
‘Primarily built to defend and protect, by the mid-1800s, the romanticised view of the castle meant that many were snapped up as private homes and became domesticated, redesigned in the Georgian or Victorian style.
‘Also around this time, imitations of the “fairytale” castle began to emerge, with buildings across Scotland in particular adorned with Scottish Baronial-style turrets.’
But these original castles were not built to accommodate modern lifestyles.
Mr Macnab said: ‘Doorways and windows were smaller, spiral staircases were narrower, and living space was compartmentalised rather than interconnecting or open-plan as is the fashion today.
‘And it’s not just a question of remodelling: as with any listed building, there are restrictions on how castles can be converted.
‘Nevertheless, the demand to live in a unique piece of history remains strong. Clearly, the mystery and intrigue of a Scottish castle continues to attract those who long to live the romantic dream.’
Here is our pick of eight castles for sale…
1. Fifteen-bed castle, West Dunbartonshire, £3.75m
Auchendennan House in Scotland’s West Dunbartonshire is a baronial castle with two turrets
Features inside include oak panelling and a large carved fireplace with cherub and female figurines and inscriptions
The property sits on the south west edge of Loch Lomond and has views across the lock to nearby mountains
The property is being sold via estate agents Strutt & Parker for offers over £3.75million
Auchendennan House in Scotland’s West Dunbartonshire is a baronial castle with two turrets that’s set in 55 acres.
It is near the south west of Loch Lomond and has views across the lock to nearby mountains.
Its impressive features inside include oak panelling and a large carved fireplace with cherub and female figurines and inscriptions. It is being sold via estate agents Strutt & Parker for offers over £3.75million.
2. Ten-bed castle, Powys, £2.85m
Glandyfi Castle sits on a wooded hillside and has views across the mountains of Snowdonia National Park
The 10-bedroom Welsh property has recently been renovated and is now a comfortable home
The property is being sold via estate agents Strutt & Parker for £2.85million
The medieval stone courtyard with its stone walls has had a new glass roof installed
Glandyfi Castle dates back to the nineteenth century and includes million windows, square, round and octagonal towers and impressive chimneys.
It sits on a wooded hillside and has views across the mountains of Snowdonia National Park.
The 10-bedroom Welsh property has recently been renovated, including the medieval stone courtyard with its stone walls enjoying a new glass roof.
The property is in Glandyfi, Powys, and is being sold via estate agents Strutt & Parker for £2.85million.
3. Sixteen-bed castle, Exeter, £7.95m
Mamhead House is a stunning property In Devon’s Exeter, which is surrounded by countryside
The impressive rooms includes this living area with a grand fireplace and large windows
The impressive property is being sold via estate agents Strutt & Parker for offers over £7.95million
Mamhead House is a stunning property In Devon’s Exeter, which is approached along a winding drive through woodland.
It has an impressive 16 bedrooms and eight bathrooms, and an attic with a further 11 bedrooms and two bathrooms.
It is being sold via estate agents Strutt & Parker for offers over £7.95million.
4. Eight-bed castle, East Dunbartonshire, £2.7m
Bardowie Castle is in Scotland’s Milngavie, and sits on the northern shores of Bardowie Loch
The inside of the castle is appropriately decorated with beautifully wooden furniture
The interiors have been sensitively restored to highlight the decorative ceilings and original staircase
The castle is for sale via estate agents Clyde Property and is for sale for £2.7million
Outside, there is a paved area with plenty of space to entertain, with views of the loch
Bardowie Castle is in Scotland’s Milngavie, in East Dunbartonshire. It is surrounded by countryside and sits on the northern shores of Bardowie Loch.
The castle has views across its expansive gardens and private jetty, towards the loch.
Although it is secluded, the hamlet of Bardowie is only around seven miles from Glasgow city centre. The castle is for sale via estate agents Clyde Property and is for sale for £2.7million.
5. Six-bed castle, Fife, £1.2m
This renovated country house boasts a ruined castle in the grounds that is calling for a Grand Designs restoration
You’ll need deep pockets: The ruin will need a lot of money spent on it to turn it into a comfortable home
There is a pretty family home in the grounds of the ruined castle, which can be bought separately
The house includes a colourful kitchen with an five-door Aga oven and space for a table
This renovated country house boasts a ruined castle in the grounds that is ripe for a Grand Designs-esque restoration.
Piteadie House and Castle in Scotland’s Fife are on the market for offers over £1.2million via Savills estate agents.
It is possible to buy the castle and house separately or as a whole, priced individually at £225,000 or £975,000 respectively.
6. Three-bed castle Wigtownshire, £395,000
Craigcaffie Tower in Scotland’s Wigtownshire is being sold via estate agents Strutt & Parker for £395,000
Winding you up the walls: The original staircase is narrow and made of stone
Making it pay: The tower has been used as a holiday lets business until recently
Until recently, Craigcaffie Tower in Scotland’s Stoneykirk, in Wigtownshire, was used as a holiday let business.
It boasts a wealth of period features, including crow-stepped gables, solid oak floors and beams on two levels, and original fire places. It is being sold via estate agents Strutt & Parker for £395,000.
7. Ten-bed castle, Aberdeenshire, £1.45m
Tullich Lodge is in Ballater, Aberdeenshire, and sits in about about 60 acres
The impressive ten-bedroom property is being sold by estate agents Savills for £1.45m
The spacious living areas include several dining areas surrounded by panelled walls and a fireplace
Fancy a drink? The castle includes an extensive bar with panelled walls and bar stools
Getting away from it all: The conservatory has far-reaching views of the surrounding countryside
Income potential: The lodge and cottage in the grounds have been successfully rented out
Wealthy neighbours: Balmoral Castle, the Scottish residence of the Royal Family, is only 10 miles away
This baronial style Victorian property sits in about about 60 acres, and has a particularly famous neighbour.
Balmoral Castle, the Scottish residence to the Royal family, is only 10 miles away.
This property in Ballater, Aberdeenshire, is called Tullich Lodge and is being sold by estate agents Savills for £1.45m.
8. Eleven-bed castle, Northumberland, £1.9m
Coupland Castle has a separate cottage to the main house, a lodge and stables
The castle is in Wooler, Northumberland, is on the market via estate agents Strutt & Parker for £1.9million
It has a history: The property is Grade I listed and dates back to the sixteenth century
The property has 11 bedrooms including this one that boasts an ornate four-poster bed
Coupland Castle has a crenelated tower and the countryside as its backdrop
Dating back to the late 16th century, Coupland Castle, has a crenelated tower, a separate cottage to the main house, a lodge and stables.
The three-bedroom cottage and three-bedroom lodge offer a potential income stream having been successfully rented out.
The property in Wooler, Northumberland, in the north east of England, is on the market via estate agents Strutt & Parker for £1.9million.
