Buy like Zuckerberg: Three of the UK's best castles currently on the market
Following the news that Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg has added a 19th-century Gothic castle in Ireland to his property portfolio, LandSale, the property portal dedicated to land and rural property, has highlighted three of the best and most expensive castles currently listed on its platform.
Zuckerberg has purchased Strancally Castle in County Waterford, a Gothic-style castle built around 1830 overlooking the River Blackwater. While the purchase price has not been disclosed, reports suggest the estate could be worth between €20m and €30m.
But those inspired to buy like the tech billionaire don't necessarily need a Zuckerberg-sized fortune, with LandSale's internal market data showing that the typical castle currently listed across Great Britain carries a median asking price of £2m.
So, for those looking to follow in Zuckerberg's footsteps, LandSale has highlighted three remarkable castle opportunities currently on the market.
Kirby Knowle Castle, North Yorkshire – £7m
Sitting high above the North Yorkshire countryside near Thirsk, Kirby Knowle Castle is currently available with a guide price of £7m. The Grade II-listed castle has enjoyed views across rural Yorkshire for more than 700 years and has undergone a significant refurbishment by its current owners.
Set within 65.56 acres, the castle offers seven bedrooms, five bathrooms and four or five reception rooms, alongside a cinema room, snooker and games room, wine cellar, gym and steam room.
Outside, the grounds include extensive lawns, woodland, paddocks, a pond and water features, while the estate also comes with a fully refurbished detached two-bedroom cottage. It even has a royal connection, with the listing stating that Mary Queen of Scots was a frequent visitor.
View Kirby Knowle Castle on LandSale
Shuna Island, Scotland – £5.5m
For £5.5m, buyers can go one better than simply purchasing a castle and secure an entire private Scottish island.
Located off the west coast of Scotland, Shuna Island extends to approximately 1,110 acres and is being offered for sale for the first time, having been held by the same family for 80 years. At its heart are the remains of Shuna Castle, an early 20th-century structure with panoramic coastal views and potential for redevelopment, subject to planning.
The island also includes eight residential properties, with 27 bedrooms in total and accommodation for up to 52 guests. Shuna is a working estate supporting livestock farming, while its landscape includes rolling hills, sheltered bays, rugged coastline and sandy beaches. Infrastructure includes a private pier, slipways and helipad, along with a renewable energy system incorporating photovoltaic panels, wind turbines and battery storage.
Bellister Castle, Northumberland – offers over £2m
For buyers whose budget doesn't quite stretch to £5m or £7m, Bellister Castle in Northumberland is available for offers in excess of £2m, putting it in line with the typical price of a castle currently listed across Great Britain.
Located in Haltwhistle, the Grade I-listed Bellister Castle sits within approximately 4.51 acres and traces its origins back to medieval times, with the adjoining pele tower dating back to the 12th century. The fully renovated six-bedroom castle extends to 4,778 sq ft, while a restored two-bedroom lodge provides a further 1,159 sq ft of accommodation.
The private grounds include formal lawns, an established orchard, walled garden and mature trees, with the castle sitting within 1,200 acres of National Trust parkland. The property also comes with a range of Grade II-listed former farm buildings, currently used for storage, extending to 6,507 sq ft in total.
View Bellister Castle on LandSale
Founder of LandSale, Adam Morris, commented:
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 opportunies
