Have you always dreamed of living in a castle that looks straight out of medieval times but found them too drafty and lacking in modern comforts? Castell Gyrn, a six-bedroom, 7,859-square-foot castle in the north of Wales, may be the solution. The home, which is accepting offers of £3 million (US$3.66 million), is located on 46 acres, situated off the A494 road in the market town of Ruthin. It has the look and feel of an old-fashioned castle, but was built in 1977 by London architect John Taylor as a home for himself, according to the listing. A labor of love, he completed it in 1994, making it one of the newest castles available in the world.
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"The architect’s love affair was well documented," said Kevin Coughter, the CEO of Lot11, the online property auction house responsible for the sale. "No expense was spared, right down to the front gates, which cost well over £10,000 when they were commissioned."
The wrought iron gates add to the fort-like feel. The home is set back from the road and located high on a hill, and enclosed by a solid stone wall as befitting a fortress. At the gates, a dragon carved from a 200-year-old tree stump breathes actual fire to signal an arrival.
"Personally I love the dragon ... that greets you on arrival," Mr. Coughter said. "But I expect most people will appreciate the presence of the building itself which looks like it has been there for years or could be a castle in ‘Game of Thrones.’"
Some particularly royal interior finishes include invisible speakers, wood paneling and wallpaper, ornately carved fireplaces, hidden staircases, and draft-proof double glazed windows offering panoramic views of the Clwyd valley and Snowdon in the distance from 1000 feet above sea level. The current owner has updated the house further, adding a three-car garage and a new wing.
The home also has more typical luxury features, such as reception rooms, a movie theater, and a kitchen with a breakfast bar, walk-in pantry, utility and butler's pantry. There’s also a storeroom accessible through the courtyard with heating and a sink. The master suite includes a living room, dressing room and en- suite bathroom. Above the guest rooms on the top floor, there are stairs leading to a rooftop with views over the valley, complete with a parapet and cannons.
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Outside, there is a landscaped exterior courtyard, and a lodge designed for guests with a reception room and bedroom.
There is also another building called "the shell grotto." Once used to house sheep, it is now covered in shells.
The property includes a pond, fountain, and flower gardens. Plans are in place for leisure facilities and an infinity pool. And although the property may feel as though you are ruling over your own remote fiefdom, it is only two hours to London’s Euston Station from the nearby town of Chester.
"The location and views are stunning." Mr. Coughter said. "The building itself is a one-off, it’s hard to pick just one special thing about it, but the scope is huge."