900-Year-Old Norman Castle in Northern England Heads to Auction
Previously offered through UK Sotheby’s International Realty for £9.5 million, the 900-year-old Appleby Castle in Cumbria now presents a singular opportunity to acquire one of England’s most complete and continuously occupied Norman keeps.
Set within 25 acres of parkland, the Grade I-listed estate encompasses a Norman Keep, Round Tower, and three self-contained cottages, together offering 23 bedrooms, 19 bathrooms, two Great Halls, a gym, sauna, hot tub, and billiard room. The castle’s richly detailed interiors reveal centuries of craftsmanship, from 15th-century oak panelling to carved stone fireplaces and decorative plasterwork.
Once held by English monarchs — including Henry II, Richard the Lionheart, and Richard III — Appleby Castle stands as a living record of England’s medieval past.
Built around 1100 AD, Appleby Castle is one of only about 20 inhabited Norman castles remaining in Britain — most of which are held by the Royal Family or heritage trusts. It has been continuously occupied for more than nine centuries and is considered one of the few surviving intact Norman keeps in the UK.
The estate’s enduring presence owes much to Lady Anne Clifford (1590–1676), the formidable 17th-century noblewoman who defied King James I and Parliament in a decades-long battle to reclaim her ancestral lands. Following the destruction of Appleby Castle during the English Civil War, she personally oversaw its restoration, rebuilding the Great Hall and adding the central wall of the Norman Keep that still defines the structure today. Her vow — “for every stone pulled down, I will lay a new one” — became a symbol of resilience and legacy, ensuring the castle’s survival into the modern era.
Over the past two decades, the current owner has continued that stewardship, undertaking extensive maintenance including the replacement of the lead roofs on both the Castle and the Keep. Since 2016, Appleby Castle has also operated partly as a hotel and events venue, hosting weddings, film shoots, educational tours, and open-air theatre — demonstrating its rare adaptability for both private and commercial use.
Auctioneer Peter Mayo of Knight Frank notes that “to new owners, the castle’s versatility is endless.” With its historic lineage of English kings — from Henry II and Richard the Lionheart to Richard III — and a legacy shaped by one of England’s earliest female estate restorers, Appleby Castle stands as a living testament to the endurance of Norman architecture and the spirit of those who rebuilt it.
All photos belong to the listing agency.
