Historic houses aren’t for everyone. But if modernistic minimalism just doesn’t excite, then this majestic property might.
With sandstone structures dating back to the 12th century and stories concerning royal wars and succession feuds, Appleby Castle is no hard sell to history buffs. The memoriam of medieval England is on the market, listing by UK Sotheby’s International Realty.
Gracing an ancient market town in the Lake District, the rare abode is perched on 10,000 hectares of picturesque parkland and its 22 bedrooms and 19 bathrooms await their next patron.
When it comes to hosting, the well-preserved 15th-century dining room ought to do the trick, but two great halls – one built in the 15th century, another in the 12th – await in equal decadence. The unique find even comes complete with a Norman keep and 13th-century round tower, while cottages and a tennis court surround the central structure.
Upgrades over the years mean it can also list crowd-pleasing facilities such as a gym, hot tub and sauna on the grounds.
While every corner is steeped in character, current owner Sally Nightingale says the state bedroom needs to be seen in person to fully appreciate the property. Speaking of its elaborate 400-year-old tapestries, she says “photos don’t do it justice”,
Tempting as it is to list more floor plan features and numerical characteristics, the real charm lies in its history. A Grade-I listed building, Appleby Castle has weathered Norman conquests, been caught up in civil wars and been exchanged between royal Scottish and English hands; it seems there are as many tales to tell as rooms to inhabit.
Yet it’s a 17th-century clash between English Civil War captain, Robert Atkinson, and heiress Lady Anne Clifford that has crowned Nightingale’s favourite story connected to the castle. Trying to lay claim to the property after the civil war, Atkinson set local farmers against Lady Anne, defending them as they refused to pay rent.
Later caught up in a plot to overthrow King Charles II, Atkinson was sentenced to be executed at the castle. “On the morning of his execution Lady Anne was given a letter pardoning Robert Atkinson, which she put in her pocket until after the deed was done,” Nightingale recounts of the legend.
Historical scandal aside, UK Sotheby’s International Realty’s agent Guy Bradshaw sees a brighter future for the once-in-a-generation property. “These types of property don’t change hands often. [It’s ideal for] someone seeking a lifestyle change to enhance an existing business in an area of simply outstanding beauty.”
Located in the Eden Valley at the edge of the Lake District, watercolour-worthy scenes are always within day-trip distance; Lake Ullswater is a mere 20-minute drive. Closer to the castle grounds, the surrounding parkland comes complete with access to fishing rights on the River Eden.
On the market for £9.5 million ($12 million), the property offers bountiful opportunities for interested buyers.
During her 27-year reign, Nightingale transformed the castle into a hotel, but Bradshaw believes there is still untapped potential. “While a successful business model currently operates, there is more that can be done with renewed energy.”
And owning a building of such stature, energy it will take. As Bradshaw puts it: “There’s always something to be done, but that’s the exciting part of looking after something that’s stood for 900-plus years.”
City's slump
L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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Profile of RentSher
Started: October 2015 in India, November 2016 in UAE
Founders: Harsh Dhand; Vaibhav and Purvashi Doshi
Based: Bangalore, India and Dubai, UAE
Sector: Online rental marketplace
Size: 40 employees
Investment: $2 million
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THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
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Coming soon
Torno Subito by Massimo Bottura
When the W Dubai – The Palm hotel opens at the end of this year, one of the highlights will be Massimo Bottura’s new restaurant, Torno Subito, which promises “to take guests on a journey back to 1960s Italy”. It is the three Michelinstarred chef’s first venture in Dubai and should be every bit as ambitious as you would expect from the man whose restaurant in Italy, Osteria Francescana, was crowned number one in this year’s list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Akira Back Dubai
Another exciting opening at the W Dubai – The Palm hotel is South Korean chef Akira Back’s new restaurant, which will continue to showcase some of the finest Asian food in the world. Back, whose Seoul restaurant, Dosa, won a Michelin star last year, describes his menu as, “an innovative Japanese cuisine prepared with a Korean accent”.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
The highly experimental chef, whose dishes are as much about spectacle as taste, opens his first restaurant in Dubai next year. Housed at The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal will feature contemporary twists on recipes that date back to the 1300s, including goats’ milk cheesecake. Always remember with a Blumenthal dish: nothing is quite as it seems.
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
