Eight of the best grand and unusual homes for sale
From a house surrounded by Italianate gardens in Devon to a 14th-century Scottish castle with views over the Firth of Forth and the former London home of the founder of the Tate Gallery, eight of the best grand and unusual homes for sale now.
Lympne Castle, The Street, Lympne, Kent. A Grade I-listed castle with views across Romney Marsh towards the English Channel. On the site of a Saxon abbey, this home is now also a thriving wedding venue and corporate entertainment property. 4 beds (in main building), great hall, greenhouse, stables, garage. 137 acres. £11m Savills 01580 720161.
Brechin Castle, By Brechin, Angus. A castle dating back to the 12th century, this property was rebuilt in the early 1700s. It has a walled garden, two gate lodges, and three estate houses. Nearby, there is fishing on the River South Esk. 16 beds, 10 baths, 8 receps. 70 acres. £3m+ Savills 0131 247 3720.
Henry Tate Mews, London SW16. A major part of a Grade II-listed mansion set in six acres of private communal gardens (which include a listed grotto, a folly and an orchard), situated in the estate that was originally home to Sir Henry Tate, founder of the Tate Gallery. 5 beds, 4 baths, recep with mezzanine, kitchen/ breakfast room, cloakroom, double garage, parking, patio garden. £1.8m Hamptons 0203 369 4574.
Park Hill Road, Torquay, Devon. An unusual home overlooking Torbay, surrounded by Italianate gardens, which include a neoclassical folly with columned pillars used as a summer house, with paths leading to a pond. Marble fireplaces, parquet floors and a large orangery, which is ideal to use as a music room. 3 beds, 2 baths, 2 receps, conservatory, kitchen, utility, cloakroom, double garage. £1m John Couch 01803 296500.
Fa’side Castle, Tranent, East Lothian. An outstanding historic 14th-century castle with panoramic views over the Lothians and the Forth Estuary. This property has flagstone floors, beamed ceilings, large open fireplaces and a steep stone spiral staircase in the old tower. The drawing room has triple aspect views. 6 beds, 3 baths, 2 receps, office, dining kitchen, cloakroom, utility, two cottages, courtyard, outbuildings. 2.3 acres. £1.7m+ Savills 0131 247 3738.
Heather Hall & Hollybush Lodge, Heather, Leicestershire. A Grade II-listed hall dating from the 18th century, with an unusual attached folly and a former lodge built in a gothic style with tower. 6 beds, 2 baths, 3 receps, breakfast kitchen, gardens. Price on request Fisher German 01530 410840.
Hyde Abbey Close, Winchester. A refurbished Grade II*-listed house dating from the 17th century with landscaped walled gardens. It has panelled walls, period fireplaces and a drawing room (that was originally a ballroom) with an ornate plaster ceiling. There is underfloor heating and a new electrical system. 7 beds, 5 baths, 6 receps, study, breakfast kitchen, private parking, gardens. £3.65m Knight Frank 01962 677242.
Devizes Castle, Devizes, Wiltshire. A Grade I-listed castle close to the centre of the market town of Devizes. Originally built in 1080, it was reconstructed in the 12th century and rebuilt in the 1830s. It has stone mullioned windows and archways, a wooden central staircase and smaller stone spiral staircase. To the front of the property are numerous mature specimen trees. 9 beds, 6 baths, 6 receps, breakfast kitchen, cellar, garden and grounds, dry moat. £2.65m Knight Frank 01488 688530.