‘Who among us has never desired their own Grade II-listed castle tower?’ writes Country Life’s property editor James Fisher in the May 13 issue of the magazine. And so much the better, of course, is that medieval tower happens to come with a beautiful country house attached, and all within easy reach of London and the South Coast.
That is what’s for sale in the case of Warblington Castle near Havant in Hampshire, a perfect opportunity for a buyer looking for history, luxury and accessibility. It’s up for sale with Jackson-Stops at £2.45 million.
The history here is quite remarkable: previous owners include Warwick the King Maker and Margaret, Countess of Salisbury.
Not that they would recognise it: this beautiful home as it now stands has gone through various evolutions of the buildings over the centuries, and what stands now is a handsome, mainly 17th-century country house rebuilt from the Caen stone of a 16th-century fortified manor.
The main seven-bedroom house boasts exposed beams and stonework, as well as large corridors and landings that lead to well-proportioned living areas.
The gardens are a wonder, taking full advantage of the ruins of the former manor house that was demolished by the Roundheads during the English Civil War.
The central lawn boasts well-stocked borders planted around the remains of the castle and, to the south, you will find an orchard with pear and apple trees. To the east, a terrace is enclosed by an ornamental balustrade and leads to the swimming pool and stone-built pool house.
Warblington has been one of many houses hit by the ups and downs of the housing market over the past few years. It actually came to the market two years ago with a slightly higher price tag of £2.6m, but well-documented ups and downs of the mortgage market, Brexit, elections and now coronavirus mean that it remains looking for a first new owner in four decades.
The couple who are selling up, Tom and Diana Bishop, both rowed for Britain at the 1976 Montreal Olympics before settling here, and Mrs Bishop has spent a huge amount of time and effort restoring and improving their much-loved family home and its delightful gardens, as well as bringing up four lucky children in this enchanting spot. We can only imagine the fun they must have had playing in such a setting, and Mrs Bishop is hoping that a new family will enjoy this historic home just as much as hers have done.
Warblington Castle is for sale at £2.6 million via Jackson-Stops – see more details and pictures.
19 incredible Scottish castles and estates for sale, from £130,000 to £9.5 million
Whether you're after a crumbling ruin or a superb, 21st century-spec home bursting with character, you'll find something to suit
Credit: Chris Curl
A delightful 'medieval' castle for sale that was built by one of the 20th century's finest architects
You'd think it was hundreds of years old, but Castell Gyrn is actually a creation of the late 20th century
Credit: Knight Frank
A castle in the 'new Cotswolds' for sale with stone spiral staircases, 30 acres and a castellated roof terrace
Astwell Castle is a 15th century castle in Northamptonshire for sale that's full of history and absolutely bursting with potential.
-
Game, set, match: 12 of the world’s most beautiful tennis courtsFrom Italy to Indonesia, when it comes to hotel amenities, a picturesque tennis court will always trump a 24-hour gym. So, before you book your next holiday, take a look at our pick of the 12 best.
-
Five frankly enormous mansions, including one with its own private swimming lake, as seen in Country LifeSometimes bigger really is better.
-
Five frankly enormous mansions, including one with its own private swimming lake, as seen in Country Life
Sometimes bigger really is better.
-
Gaze over Cap Ferrat in this four-bedroom French villaIgnore the wind and the rain. Imagine yourself in this hillside home with some of the best views the Mediterranean can offer.
-
Classical style meets fun and flair in a seven-bedroom manor in CornwallAt Polstrong Manor, the current owners have combined period charm and elegant modern interiors to create a flamboyant country home 10-minutes from the beach.
-
Two halves make a sublime four-bedroom home in Kent's North DownsA contemporary extension to a traditional clapboard house brings light and life to Lavington House.
-
The week in property statistics: Service charges reach record highPlus, how first-time buyers prop up the mortgage market, why you need to move north if you want to live by yourself, and house-price growth slows
-
A seven-bedroom oast house for sale in East Sussex, where your dreams can run riotUnlisted, yet full of character, this property in the High Weald National Landscape is an eccentrically furnished family home that screams fun.
-
Character, history and comfort combine in a four-bedroom farmhouse in NorfolkWillow Farm near Southburgh is that rarest of things — a perfect combination of period charm and modern elegance in some of England's best countryside.
-
A Grade I-listed Georgian townhouse that's part of the fabric of Bath's historyWith 5,500sq ft set over six floors in the centre of Britain's most architecturally rich city, there is much to love here.
