A magnificent castle dating back to William the Conqueror comes to the market
A thousand years of history come together at Otterburn Castle, a spectacular Northumberland castle that has come to the market.

The launch of Otterburn Castle — a splendid, Grade II-listed historic landmark sitting in 32 acres within the Northumberland National Park at the heart of the Redesdale Valley — will send a little shiver of excitement through the property market. This beautiful place — for sale at £3m — is no mere castellated country house: Otterburn has been a castle since the days of William the Conqueror, and though it’s seen many changes since then, it retains all sorts of original character.
The days of arrows shot from battlements and boiling oil poured over the walls are long gone, however — at least we hope they are, since Otterburn is presently run as a country house hotel and that would be no way to greet your guests.
Last used as a home before the Second World War, Otterburn Castle was converted into a hotel in the 1940s, yet retains many of its historic features. There is oak wall panelling, intricate plasterwork and stone-mullioned windows, the property has 18 bedrooms (all en suite), together with several large reception rooms and a catering-standard kitchen. Otterburn would suit someone with a taste for entertaining: the garden room can accommodate 120 guests comfortably.
The castle was actually put on the market back in 2017 at £1.4m, but no sale went through that time. Today, with the property market having risen substantially, its reappearance is at more than double that price point, yet as Oliver Custance Baker, head of Strutt & Parker’s country department, points out, this is a unique opportunity.
‘Homes with rich histories like Otterburn open up the market to international interest, and castles even more so,’ says Oliver.
‘The stories that are part of these houses are an integral part of what makes them so special, together with their location and architecture. Here, it’s a piece of Northumberland — and British — history for sale.’
The first record of Otterburn was in 1076 when Robert D’Umphraville – William's cousin – was given the land in appreciation of his services. What exactly was built on the land and when is more of a mystery, but a 1308 survey confirms the existence of a pele tower which was thought to be around 60 years old at the time.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
That structure is even mentioned in the chronicles: Froissart refers to it in his account of the battle of Otterburn in 1388, when the English army suffered a bloody defeat at the hands of the Scottish, led by the Earl of Douglas who tried to take the tower.
Life at Otterburn continued. Used as a hunting lodge during the 15th century, it passed to the Hall family in the reign of Henry VIII — for reasons that remain unclear. John Hall is noted as a Sequester under Cromwell (meaning he confiscated enemy property) and became Commissioner for Enclosure in 1552. His most infamous successor was ‘Mad Jack Ha’, who features in William Harrison Ainsworth’s novel Preston Fight for his part in the 1715 Jacobite rising. A cat with not quite nine lives, ‘Mad Jack’ was finally convicted for his ‘crimes’ after five reprieves and hanged at Tyburn in July 1716.
The present building was built on the foundations of the original pele tower, and using some of the original stones, in 1830, and extended in 1904 by F.W. Rich. During both those periods of work, the historic fittings and other details were retained where possible, and in many cases remain in fantastic condition. These include stone-mullioned windows, dramatic carved staircase and intricate plasterwork.
Today’s Grade II-listed castellated tower, incorporating a Tudor-arched entry, was built in the 1830s by Thomas James on the foundations of the original structure, using some of the original stones. It was then extended in 1904 by F. W. Rich for the owner, one Howard Pease, a wealthy businessman from the Middlesbrough area; his widow sold the property in 1931, and it was converted into a hotel relatively soon after.
Today, the castle-turned country hotel has a bridal suite which boasts and inglenook fireplace with five painted panels depicting scenes from the Battle of Otterburn – and it could either continue as a business, or else be returned to use as a home... one with endless bedrooms, a bar, ballroom and a grand entrance hall with a sweeping staircase and panelled walls.
The castle is just as grand outside as it is in: set in 32 acres of land that include formal gardens, woodland and a river with a water wheel which was once used to pump water to the castle. There are even fishing rights included, with trout and salmon swimming in these waters.
Spectacular Scottish castles and estates for sale
A look at the finest castles, country houses and estates for sale in Scotland today.
A breathtaking West Highlands estate with mountains, forests and lochs to call your own
A magnificent sporting estate, extending to 11,105 acres in total, has come to the market in the West Highlands – and
Credit: Knight Frank
A house by the waterside where magnificent views meet all mod cons
The houses we feature at Country Life are often hundreds of years old. This one is a relative baby – but
Credit: Starborough Castle - Henry & James
A picture-perfect castle for sale just outside London
Could this be England’s smallest castle? Well, not quite. But it might be the most practical.
A romantic cottage in the heart of the Cotswolds at the price of a small city flat
A heart-stoppingly romantic cottage in the Cotswolds has come to the market at a price which will make city dwellers
Toby Keel is Country Life's Digital Director, and has been running the website and social media channels since 2016. A former sports journalist, he writes about property, cars, lifestyle, travel, nature.
-
Five takeaways from Watches and Wonders Geneva 2025
Country Life’s Luxury Editor, and our eyes and ears on the Geneva ground, reports back from the watch industry’s biggest event of the year.
By Hetty Lintell Published
-
Harts House: A home straight out of a fairytale for sale in Kent
We try not to use cliché too often, but sometimes only cliché will do.
By James Fisher Published
-
Harts House: A home straight out of a fairytale for sale in Kent
We try not to use cliché too often, but sometimes only cliché will do.
By James Fisher Published
-
In search of Arcadia at Ayot Bury, the Georgian home and estate that's 30 minutes from central London
With 40 acres and glorious gardens, Ayot Bury might be the perfect country home for those looking for the best of both worlds.
By Arabella Youens Published
-
The most expensive postcodes outside of London have been revealed
Some are not so surprising. Some are quite surprising. Most are still quite close to London. All are costly.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
A £1.5 million flat on the street where wig and pen once met
It doesn't get more central London than Fleet Street.
By James Fisher Published
-
A spectacular coastal estate in Dorset set on its own private peninsula
This 160-acre estate is part nature reserve and part country home, with a beautiful Arts-and-Crafts home at its heart.
By Arabella Youens Last updated
-
A converted bothy on the shores of Loch Tay from which to enjoy the fresh tastes of Spring
Waterfall Cottage offers four bedrooms and a garden that stretches right down to the lapping waters.
By James Fisher Published
-
An idyllic home in Hampshire that's perfect for the musical mind
Lyewood House sits in 3.5 acres and comes with a purpose built recording studio and an outdoor heated pool.
By Arabella Youens Published
-
A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National Park
Old House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
By Arabella Youens Published