Everyone should endeavour to live in a castle, because castles are cool. They do, however, have practical downsides — notably that they are very large, very expensive, and prone to be quite old and therefore annoying to look after.
It’s why we here at Country Life are always on the lookout for castles on the more manageable side of things. Castles that look like castles, but are not exactly like castles, if that makes sense. If it doesn’t, perhaps have a look at St Petroc, which is currently on the market with Fine & Country for £895,000.
It ticks many important boxes. Box number one, in my opinion the most important box, is crenellations. Any castle without crenellations is not a castle at all, but thankfully no such issues here. Does it survey its surrounding land? In a way, yes. Also very pleasing.
On the more practical side of things, the property offers four bedrooms over two floors, with two bathrooms and three reception rooms. The secluded setting in the hamlet of Charles in north Devon is improved by 1.39 acres of gardens. Not exactly a kingdom, but perfectly manageable.
What’s it like on the inside? Full of lots of old suits of armour and great stone fireplaces and ancient wood? Not quite. What we have here is a castle on the outside, and a modern contemporary home on the inside.
The kitchen is large and spacious, with an island and a jazzy green range cooker. The sitting room has some kind of dome in the roof, but it’s hard to tell, because it appears to be some kind of optical illusion. Either way, it’s very cool. More rooms should have unknowable and unfathomable ceiling features. Chandeliers have been done.
The four bedrooms occupy the second floor, along with one of the bathrooms, and there is plenty of balcony space on either side of the property from which to sit and laugh at your enemies as they struggle to breach your defensive walls.
St Petroc is approached by a gravel drive, as all decent castles should be, and the gardens are perfect for hosting and entertaining. The rear lawn area is extensive and features a large terrace sunk into the gentle hill. Rich shrubs and woodland create a sense of privacy.
St Petroc might be that rare thing, a castle as imposing as any other, with none of the downsides. One worth fighting for, at any rate.
-
No strings attached: A brief history of swimwear, from heavy skirts of linen linked to women's drownings, to the skimpy two-piece named after a nuclear weapons siteFrom knee-length numbers to a scandalous suit denounced by the Pope, the colourful history of swimwear has been brought to life by a glamorous London exhibition.
-
A spectacular, light-filled home on the Isle of Wight where you can see the water from practically every windowPenny Churchill takes a look at the grand and impressive Fishbourne Quay House.
-
A spectacular, light-filled home on the Isle of Wight where you can see the water from practically every window
Penny Churchill takes a look at the grand and impressive Fishbourne Quay House.
-
The former stables — and recording studio for the Pet Shop Boys — transformed with a magical blend of city and country aesthetic, now seeking a new ownerIn the heart of Clerkenwell, what was once a Victorian industrial unit is now a beautiful home.
-
The Good Life 2025? A development promising 'Britain's greenest homes' blends zero carbon, organic allotments and a touch of luxury in the Kent countrysideHartdene Barns, sitting on a disused dairy farm in Kent, is a vision of what sustainable living one day mean for all of us.
-
Breathtaking views and gardens that run down to the water's edge at this delightful home in CornwallThe Garden House in Polruan sums up the appeal of waterside living. Penny Churchill steps inside.
-
A 500-acre estate that spent 11 centuries in the same family, for sale for only the second time in its historyIn the beautiful hills of north Wales the Garthewin estate has come up for sale, including a great country house once restored by the architect who created Portmeirion. Penny Churchill takes a closer look.
-
'The city has always held an important creative space within our design studio': A luxury townhouse in Tokyo, courtesy of Aston MartinA new four-storey property in the Omotesandō district is the first single home private residence by the British ultra-luxury performance brand.
-
The Mediterranean Magic of MaltaWith historic charm, picture-perfect beaches and a welcoming approach to newcomers, Malta represents an appealing option for Mediterranean property hunters. Holly Kirkwood reports.
-
Four country houses with their own tennis courts, as seen in Country LifeIf Wimbledon has put you in the mood for more tennis, Annunciata Elwes is here with a selection of homes with their own tennis courts.
