How much a Halloween castle will set you back
The latest research from Enness Global has revealed that, for those looking to follow in the footsteps of Count Dracula this Halloween, the average castle on the UK market will set buyers back around £2.2 million, requiring a deposit of £332,609 and a monthly mortgage repayment of more than £10,000.
Enness Global analysed current castle for sale listings across the UK property market to reveal what it would take to secure one of these historic homes this Halloween.
The cost of buying your own castle
Believe it or not, castle stock availability is better than you might think, with no less than 11 currently listed for sale across the UK market.
The analysis of listing prices, conducted by Enness Global, shows that in current market conditions, the average UK castle is valued at £2,217,394.
For the average buyer, this would require a 15% deposit of almost £333,000, with a full monthly mortgage repayment of £10,295 or £6,801 on an interest-only basis.
The UK's most spellbinding castles currently for sale
At the very top of the market sits Appleby Castle in Cumbria, a magnificent 12th-century fortress steeped in history and currently listed for £7.25 million with Sotheby's.
In Scotland, Shuna Castle near Oban offers buyers an extraordinary opportunity to own both a castle and its private island, priced at £5.5 million, again via Sotheby's, whilst further east, Baronial Castle in West Fife combines grand baronial architecture with modern restoration, listed at £3.45 million with Strutt & Parker.
In the English countryside, Fine & Country are listing Stowe Castle in Buckinghamshire, which delivers classic Georgian symmetry and expansive parkland for £3.175 million. Also in the north of England, Bellister Castle in Northumberland, a 17th-century landmark with striking stone battlements, is available for £2.5 million via Sanderson Young.
While these commanding estates represent the upper end of the market, castle ownership can also come with a degree of relative affordability. On Scotland's Isle of Rum, Kinloch Castle - a remarkable Edwardian property with a rich and storied past - is currently listed with Savills for just £750,000.
Regardless of price point, financing such distinctive and historically significant homes often requires specialist expertise and access to lenders comfortable with unconventional or heritage assets - an area in which Enness Global has developed particular strength.
Financing a castle purchase
While the dream of castle ownership conjures romantic imagery, financing one is often far more complex than securing a conventional home loan. Many castles are listed buildings, rural estates, or mixed-use residences that fall outside mainstream lending criteria. This means traditional high street banks may be reluctant to lend, or may impose stringent conditions and conservative loan-to-value caps.
Enness Global specialises in arranging bespoke finance for unique and high-value properties, working with private banks and specialist lenders that understand the intricacies of such purchases. Factors such as heritage restrictions, structural renovations, and diversified ownership arrangements often require creative structuring, particularly when buyers are international or using complex income sources.
Enness Global advises that those considering such a purchase should look beyond the initial asking price and consider the long-term implications of castle ownership, including ongoing maintenance, insurance, and preservation costs. For the right buyer, however, a castle represents more than an address - it's an enduring legacy and an investment in heritage.
Islay Robinson, CEO of Enness Global, commented:
"Buying a castle isn't simply about securing a home; it's about taking responsibility for a piece of living history. These properties are often centuries old and come with distinctive architectural, financial, and regulatory considerations that can make the process challenging without expert guidance.
From a lending perspective, castles sit in a category of their own. They're high-value assets, often requiring a bespoke underwriting approach because no two are ever alike. Many will need heritage-sensitive restoration and will generate mixed income through tourism, hospitality, or estate lettings - all of which need to be factored into the financing solution.
At Enness Global, we've built deep expertise in this space, working with both domestic and international buyers to source lenders who appreciate the character of these properties and the calibre of the individuals buying them. With the right financial strategy, owning a castle can be as rewarding as it is extraordinary - a perfect balance between passion and investment."
