Caverswall Castle, a home in Stoke-on-Trent that has a medieval dungeon, turrets and a moat, is on the market for £5 million (US$ 6.5 million). The castle is a Grade I-listed building built in the 13th century on the remains of an Anglo-Saxon manor.
The owner is real estate tycoon Robin MacDonald, who purchased the property, set on 20 acres of land, in 2006 for £1.7 million (US$2.2 million). He is selling because he wants to "downsize," according to Mark Bentley, of Paul Carr Estate Agents, one of the listing agents for the property. Mr. MacDonald, could not immediately be reached for a comment.
Mr. MacDonald made headlines in 2007 for hosting a reality show on his property in which he searched for a wife. He made news again in 2010 for hosting commercial activities like weddings and fireworks displays without an official entertainment license, according to the BBC.
The event company went bankrupt, leaving 78 couples without a wedding venue; he was later fined around £100,000 (US$130,000) after breaching an abatement order, according to The Telegraph. Since then, though, the property has been granted permission to be a "wellbeing retreat center" as stated in the listing.
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Despite the controversy, the 18-bedroom, 13-bathroom estate is still well suited for events. It has nine receptions rooms, an entertainment room, a wine cellar, a gym and a games room. Mr. MacDonald modernized by remodeling the bathrooms and adding industrial kitchens to feed a full castle.
In addition to being one of the only remaining castles with a functioning moat, Caverswall has authentically medieval furniture, like intricately carved wooden four-poster beds, and an old library with wood panels. One of the rooms even has an original bath from the 1890s, according to the listing.
During the English civil war in the 17th century, the castle was garrisoned but was de-commissioned under Oliver Cromwell. The castle survived in one piece, according to Caverswall’s official site.
In the mid-19th century Sir Percival Radcliffe, a baron, drained the moat and designed gardens around the castle (it’s unclear who brought the moat back). During the later half of the 19th century, the Wedgwood family, known for producing luxury fine china, also lived at the house, according to the castle’s official site.