A 'baby Windsor Castle' in Devon that's been transformed into a gorgeous family home
Tawstock Castle was originally built as a folly, a feature in the grounds to be grand, beautiful and raise a smile. It's still that, but it's also now a comfortable family home.
The sight of a fine folly, beautifully executed, is one of the joys of a journey through Britain. There are faux ruins, gingerbread houses and even — in one marvellous case — an enormous pineapple, in the unforgettable form of the Dunmore orangery.
Folly-mania was at its height in the 18th century, and that is where the example on this page dates to. Tawstock Castle was originally built in the 18th century as a hilltop folly on the Wrey Estate. It was then known simply as The Tower — the name under which it's still listed by Historic England — rather than 'Tawstock Castle', but it seems to have earned its rather grander, later title thanks to a 1980s extension (all built in local stone) which expanded the footprint and turned a folly into a house.
It has changed hands a few times since then, but the present owners — Nigel Wilson and his partner Lorna Curwen — have had the keys since the mid-2000s. Now, however, they are selling up, and the castle is for sale through Stags via OnTheMarket.com.
The heart of the house is a huge reception room — 35ft by 20ft — which takes up almost the whole of one floor, with a kitchen tucked into one of the towers in the corner.
The floor above is split into two more rooms, both en-suite, while further bedrooms are tucked in at the tops of the towers.
There's also a rooftop terrace, complete with castellations, which looks ideal for summer evening parties.
The outside of the place speaks for itself, but inside the castle is a lovely surprise: 'It’s a warm property, very cosy,' says Nigel. 'There are no spiders running around in draughty corners.'
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Nigel first came across the castle while on holiday in the area with his family back in 2005. He ended up buying the place, which has been used as a holiday home ever since for him, his partner and his five sons — and it's not hard to imagine the fun that a quintet of boys must have had spending their summer holidays in a place which looks like it's a discarded film set from Ivanhoe. There are even four-poster beds in some of the rooms to complete the look.
'It looks every bit the castle, though it’s not quite Windsor!' says Nigel.
'When I first saw it I thought it was so quirky and I wanted to buy it. The thing that struck me is how it sits so majestically on top of the hill by virtue of it being built as a folly lookout tower.
'The property is so unique, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase something so special.. I don’t think there’s anywhere like it.'
Tawstock Castle is for sale through Stags via OnTheMarket.com — see more details and pictures.
Credit: Rettie
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Toby Keel is Country Life's Digital Director, and has been running the website and social media channels since 2016. A former sports journalist, he writes about property, cars, lifestyle, travel, nature.
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