Regular Country Life readers will no doubt be accustomed to seeing some pretty magnificent properties splashed across the magazine’s glossy pages and website. Vast estates, historic homes, and architectural gems, that sort of thing.
But even by those standards the £21 million Ripley Castle Estate — its with links to the Wars of the Roses, the coronation of James I of England, the Gunpowder Plot, and Oliver Cromwell — takes some beating.
Ripley Castle has been a landmark on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park since the early 1300s, and has been home to the Ingilby family ever since its creation.
Now, though, the historic country estate has been put up for sale for the very first time in its history, with a £21m price tag.
The ancient castle is the jewel in the 445-acre estate, which encompasses parkland, ornamental gardens, and agricultural land.
Mark Granger, of Carter Jonas, which is marketing the estate, says: ‘The Ripley Castle Estate presents prospective buyers with an exceptional opportunity.
‘Not just a once-in-lifetime chance, but truly a once-in-a-700-year opportunity to purchase an estate that encompasses historical significance, architectural splendour and beauty.’
The Grade I-listed castle has played a role in some gripping historical occasions. James VI stayed at the castle en route to his coronation as James I of England.
And Oliver Cromwell apparently demanded a bed there after the Battle of Maston Moor.
Sir Thomas Ingilby, the owner, explains: ‘During this time, 'Trooper Jane' Ingilby, who fought in the battle, allowed him to stay but guarded him in the library throughout the night with two pistols, protecting both her virtue and her brother, who was hidden in the Knight’s Chamber.
‘These significant moments leap off the pages of history and are reflected in various elements throughout the castle.’
It’ll come as no surprise that the castle is dripping in historical features. The three-storey Old Tower features oak flooring originally sourced from The HMS Rose, an 18th century frigate, and a priest hole that was only discovered in 1963. And the Knight’s Chamber’s ‘Wagon Roof’ design is understood to be one of just three surviving examples.
Ripley Castle's reception hall, inner hall, oval drawing room, and second, larger drawing room with sweeping views of the lakes and the deer park are sure to catch your eye too. Look out for the grand cantilever staircase beneath a stunning armorial stained-glass window.
But let’s not forget this is also a family home — albeit a highly unusual one. What is described as the Castle Apartment includes three reception rooms, 11 bedrooms, and six bathrooms. And the medieval arched Gatehouse, completed in 1450, is a one-bedroom apartment.
The four acres of gardens and grounds are home to several listed pavilions, including The Garden Room and The Orangery, listed walled gardens and a kitchen garden.
There’s also the estate offices and east wing, which have been operated as a wedding and events venue. Plus, a gift shop, coffee shop, tea room, and a barn occupied by studios.
Other features of the estate include a hotel, village store and adjoining residential property, sporting rights, woodland, pasture and game cover, and a village cricket ground. Phew.
Sir Thomas says: ‘Ripley Castle is not only an iconic estate, but it has also been a wonderful family home. It is a welcoming and magical place. Castles and living in one often belong to fairy tales, and Ripley Castle exemplifies the essence of such stories. However, without relying on make-believe, it stands on its own.’
One last note: if you fancy the castle but not all the land, Ripley Castle Estate is available as a whole or in separate lots.
Ripley Castle Estate is for sale at £21 million — see more details and pictures.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
The £30 million Dorset estate that comes with a 200-year-old mansion, a cricket ground, a nature reserve and an entire village
The Bridehead Estate in Dorset has come up for sale — and it's quite an astonishing opportunity. Penny Churchill takes a
-
'Monolithic, multi-layered and quite, quite magnificent. This was love at first bite': Tom Parker Bowles on his lifelong love affair with lasagneAn upwardly mobile spaghetti Bolognese, lasagne al forno, with oozing béchamel and layered meaty magnificence, is a bona fide comfort classic, declares Tom Parker Bowles.
-
Country houses, cream teas and Baywatch: Country Life Quiz of the Day, April 24, 2025Thursday's Quiz of the Day asks exactly how popular Baywatch became.
-
A day walking up and down the UK's most expensive streetWinnington Road in Hampstead has an average house price of £11.9 million. But what's it really like? Lotte Brundle went to find out.
-
Damon Hill's former home in Marbella is the perfect place to slow downThe glorious Andalusian-style villa is found within the Lomas de Marbella Club and just a short walk from the beach.
-
A 327-acre estate in the heart of 'England’s Côte d’Or', with a 26,000sq ft Georgian style home at its heartStokes Hall in the Crouch Valley is an inspiring property looking for a new owner.
-
Schreiber House, 'the most significant London townhouse of the second half of the 20th century', is up for saleThe five-bedroom Modernist masterpiece sits on the edge of Hampstead Heath.
-
Is the 'race for space' officially over?During the lockdowns, many thought the countryside was the place to be. It seems many are now changing their minds.
-
What's a 'wellness village' and will it tempt you back into the office?The team behind London's first mixed-use ‘wellness village’ says it has the magic formula for tempting workers back into offices.
-
A mini estate in Kent that's so lovely it once featured in Simon Schama's 'History of Britain'The Paper Mill estate is a picture-postcard in the Garden of England.
-
Hidden excellence in a £7.5 million north London homeBehind the traditional façades of Provost Road, you will find something very special.
