A £1 million castle – thought to be the first completed during King Charles III’s reign – is taking bookings so you can live like royalty while on holiday in Cumbria.
Peel Castle, in Brampton, near Carlisle, is owned by Gordon and Dawn McGregor.
The holiday let, in the grounds of the Grade II Garth House, was made possible following a six-figure investment by the Cumberland Building Society – which stepped in when no other lenders would give the go-ahead for the ambitious project.
Offering three bedrooms across three floors, as well as a rooftop gin terrace encircled by a castle parapet, Peel Castle allows guests to experience exquisite luxury during their stay.
The couple had to obtain planning permission to construct the castle in the grounds of a Grade II listed building and also had to compete with the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
They then had to wrestle with increased building costs, which put a strain on their finances as they were about to finish the project.
With the castle almost finished, when it came to securing a mortgage Gordon and Dawn found banks and other lenders unwilling to commit their funds to the project.
An independent broker put the couple in touch with the Cumberland in a bid to secure the mortgage which would see it completed.
Mr McGregor said: “The Cumberland did everything they said they would. They considered our case when other lenders wouldn’t.
“The venue is truly unique and brings the wow factor for all who come and stay here.
“It all began as I stood in the garden and thought ‘I’m going to build a castle there’, and since then, thanks to The Cumberland’s support and willingness to see our ambitions realised, we have a fully functioning castle on our grounds.”
The castle’s royal connections go deeper than the aesthetics of the property however. King Charles III previously visited Garth House, gifting plants for the garden.
It is also believed that his head gardener from Highgrove was sent to help the previous owners to establish a hedge in the gardens.
Mr McGregor has recently written to King Charles III to showcase potentially the first castle built during his reigns and gain approval for his efforts from the palace.
