Historic 900-Year-Old Appleby Castle in UK Listed for Sale at $12 Million

A piece of English history, encapsulated within the ancient walls of Appleby Castle, has been placed on the market for a princely sum of $12 million. This 900-year-old castle in Cumbria, with its formidable Norman keep, now beckons a new owner to take the reins of its storied legacy.

Sally Nightingale's acquisition of the castle in 1997 might not have been driven by personal desire, as her ex-husband's passion for such historic edifices propelled them into the realm of castle ownership. After two decades, the grandeur of the castle still hails with its exhaustive 20 bedrooms and sprawling 29,000 square feet that have, since 2013, accommodated hotel guests alongside Nightingale's private 7,750-square-foot wing.

Despite its grandiosity, Appleby Castle's tenure under Nightingale's care was not simply a tale of aristocratic opulence. Her commitment to the property demanded considerable financial investment for essential maintenance. Mere habitation was transformed into an enterprise of restoration and conservation, ensuring that the castle's historic fabric remained intact. This restoration included costly endeavors such as re-leading the expansive roof and refurbishing the keep.

But the responsibility of preserving such a magnanimous structure takes its toll. Hence, Nightingale has chosen to step back, offering the castle, along with its associated keep and outbuildings set within a 25-acre landscape, to prospective custodians through United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty.

The castle's history is as rich as its architecture is grand. The story woven into the Appleby stone dates back to Roman defenses, with the current keep arising only 900 years prior. Its antique roster of owners includes the notorious Hugh de Morville, the knight infamous for the assassination of Thomas Becket. Be it the tumultuous cross-border conflicts with Scotland or internal civil unrest, the castle has borne witness to centuries of upheaval. The Clifford and Thanet families' stewardship over the span of centuries eventually gave way to commercial use, and public access until it was resealed as a private dwelling in the hands of the Nightingales.

The property's current state testifies to Nightingale's dedication; a fortified keep with six-feet-thick walls recounts its defensive past, while the luxury of the mansion - the great hall, state bedrooms, and dining areas - reflect the castle's genteel heritage. Three cottages and supplementary storage spaces dot the landscape, complemented by a walled garden and a tennis court that boast views of the serpentine Eden River.

The interior of Appleby Castle is a capsule of its 400-year-old grandeur, with Nightingale having painstakingly sourced period-correct furnishings to complement its character. However, it is not just material restoration that she has overseen; the keep now serves educational purposes as the Norman Centre museum, detailing the profound Norman influence on English soil.

Appleby Castle's transformation into a hotel was, according to Nightingale, less strenuous than it appears. The Grade 1 designation of the building meant that no significant alterations could mar its historical integrity. This precisely adds to its charm, delighting visitors that seek authenticity in their accommodations. Moreover, the castle's appeal extends to American guests, who are captivated by the connection to George Washington's ancestors.

As Appleby Castle prepares for a change of hands, its adaptability as both a private residence and a hotel endures. Its market presence offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for history aficionados to not just own, but to partake in the living legacy of one of England's few remaining intact Norman keeps.