1,000-year-old castle on sale for £500,000 but the land has to be shared
You could become the next owner of a 1,000-year-old castle for just £500,000 but there are a few details that may make you think twice.
Wigmore Castle, near Leominster, Herefordshire, is a Grade-I Listed fortress that spans almost 29.8 acres, which is equivalent to nearly 23 football pitches. However, the liveable space on the enormous property is just a small old workshop. And the new owner will have to convert it into a two-bed home themselves to live in it.
The castle is currently in ruins with only a few walls remaining. It was founded by William Fitz Osbern, the Earl of Hereford in 1067. It has since hosted several kings and queens and the castle itself is under the protection of English Heritage.
This castle is 1,000 years old (Sunderlands / SWNS)The new owner of the bargain sale will own the land and have planning permission for the tiny barn. The barn, which is two metres by six metres barn, is cladded with timber.
The planning permission will allow the shed to be transformed into a detached two-storey, two-bedroom home. And even though it is in a private location, the new buyer will have easy access to the village of Wigmore -which has two local pubs.
Grade I listed ex-church on sale - for less than a one-bedroom flat
The property is under the guardianship of the Secretary of State, and by law must be made open to the public. The castle remained in possession of the Crown until Elizabeth I sold it to Sir Thomas Harley in 1601.
The grounds will be open to the public but the shed can be lived in as private lodgings (Sunderlands / SWNS)However, Sir Thomas's son was an avid supporter of Oliver Cromwell and during the Civil War, his wife ordered Parliamentarian troops to dismantle the castle walls to stop it being used by Royalist forces.
The listing reads: “Wigmore now has an overgrown appearance that once characterised many ruined sites. English Heritage describes the remains of the castle as “among the most remarkable ruins in England. The plot also includes a moat, woodland, and former jousting field.
It adds: “The site extends in total to 29.84 acres (12.07 hectares) of which about 14.19 acres is permanent grassland, about 13.65 acres is mixed woodland and the remainder buildings, tracks, and grounds.
”The land is classified as predominantly Grade III. The land is very diverse and has predominantly been kept as 'managed wilderness' providing a haven for a range of wildlife.
”English Heritage maintains paths throughout part of the land mainly surrounding the castle to provide easy access for visitors. The topography and nature of the land may offer additional biodiversity and natural capital opportunities.
“The Castle Ruins are Grade I Listed (List Entry Number: 1178673) and part of the site is listed as a scheduled monument (List Entry Number: 1001793); the details can be found via the Historic England website.”
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