A miniature castle in Kent that sits alongside a magnificent folly tower
In the shadow of one of Victorian England's most famous follies lies a beautiful family home in Kent that is hugely romantic.

At upwards of 200ft, the Victorian folly at Hadlow Castle is the tallest in England – and up for sale at £650,000 is a lovely three-bedroom miniature castle which lies in its shadow.
The tower, also known as May's Folly, was built between 1838 and 1840 by Walter Barton May – son of the man who originally commissioned the castle, Walter May – and it has become a real landmark within Hadlow. The writer Robert Goodsall referred to it in his Second Kentish Patchwork as 'one of the best known, and certainly the most conspicuous folly in the county.'
Much of the original 18th-century castle was demolished in 1951; thankfully, the folly tower itself was already a listed building. Several other outbuildings survived, including the coach house, stables and servants’ quarters.
This house, known as The Keep, is one of a series of Georgian Gothic courtyard lodges built alongside the castle.
It stands across the other side of an attractive pond from the tower, a delightfully pretty castellated construction built of honey-coloured stone and complete with castellated battlements and arched Gothic windows.
Inside it’s a spacious family home – with around 1,500sq ft over three floors – that the agents describe as “a home of romance and yet one of practicality”. That seems a fair assessment to us: the kitchen is small, but there's a lovely and very large sitting/dining room that is a natural centrepiece for the house.
Upstairs are three bedrooms, each of which has some sort of further room beyond – to be used as a study, office, playroom or even a dressing room.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Outside there’s a private garden leading to a walled churchyard, beyond which lies the charming village itself. There are also communal gardens – and of course the chance to enjoy the tower itself, which is otherwise only open to visitors on Thursdays in the summer.
If you're not in the market for a delightful home in Kent – even one that's well priced, in a terrific location and an easy commute to London – but still want to visit Hadlow Tower, you can find out more here.
The Keep is on the market via Graham John at £650,000 – see more details and pictures.
Spectacular Scottish castles and estates for sale
A look at the finest castles, country houses and estates for sale in Scotland today.
A romantic cottage in the heart of the Cotswolds at the price of a small city flat
A heart-stoppingly romantic cottage in the Cotswolds has come to the market at a price which will make city dwellers
Credit: Starborough Castle - Henry & James
A picture-perfect castle for sale just outside London
Could this be England’s smallest castle? Well, not quite. But it might be the most practical.
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.
-
Everything you need to know about Hampstead: The real star of 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy'
From Protestant Dissenters to Dame Judi Dench, Hampstead has long been synonymous with liberal values and prosperity — which is what makes it different from other parts of London. Now, it's stealing hearts the world over in the latest Bridget Jones film.
By Carla Passino Published
-
Guess the country house price, David Stirling and the King without a moustache: Country Life Quiz of the Day 19 February 2025
Have a go at Wednesday's Quiz of the Day. Good luck!
By Toby Keel Published
-
A fairytale castle peeking above the treetops of Cumbria is for sale at just £2 million
Augill Castle has a wonderful backstory and a lifestyle business attached. .Annunciata Elwes tells more.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
A £21 million castle that's come up for sale for the first time in 700 years
Ripley Castle in North Yorkshire has been the family home of the Ingilbys since the early 1300s. It's steeped in history, has a list of famous visitors over the centuries that include James I and Oliver Cromwell, and is now on the open market. Annabel Dixon takes a look.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
Spectacular Scottish castles and estates for sale, starting from under £700k
A look at the finest castles, country houses and estates for sale in Scotland today.
By Country Life Published
-
A true once-in-a-lifetime chance as 554 acres of blissful English countryside come up for sale in a location just 45 miles from central London
Penny Churchill looks at the Southend Estate, where hundreds of acres of space are on the market just a stone's throw from the capital.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
The Scottish house of your dreams has come up for sale beside a loch in the heart of the Highlands
Lairg Lodge is a glorious Highland retreat in a spectacular location. Penny Churchill takes a look.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
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 look.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
3,000 pristine acres of Loch Lomond National Park, where red squirrels roam spectacular woodland, have come up for sale
The magnificent Cashel Estate has come to the market, a true Scottish paradise.
By Toby Keel Published
-
'One of Britain's greatest estates', complete with castle, river and 711 acres, is up for sale for the first time in a generation
Corby Castle in Cumbria is a true rarity: a Grade I-listed masterpiece that is on the market for the first time in a generation. Penny Churchill takes a look.
By Penny Churchill Published