Live like a king on a pauper’s salary with amazing castle stays from just £17 a night
AIRBNB announced this week that India’s King of Jaipur will start renting out a suite of rooms at the City Palace – costing a princely £6,200 a NIGHT with the money going to charity.
But we mere mortals can still live in majestic places without paying a king’s ransom. We discovered some incredible castle stays in the UK that cost from just £17 a night.
Bovey Castle
THIS dramatic Devon castle on Dartmoor was converted into a sprawling 5-star hotel set in 275 acres.
As well as the castle itself, guests get the run of the deer park, golf course, tennis courts and spa. There are also 22 three-storey country lodges in the grounds sleeping up to eight people.
Its fine-dining restaurant, the Great Western, holds three AA Rosettes and there is also the more relaxed Smith’s Brasserie complete with roaring fire and beautiful views. Stay B&B from £219 per room (two sharing), including use of the Elan Spa. Call 01647 445 007 or visit boveycastle.com.
Roch Castle
THIS romantic Norman castle in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park sleeps 12 people in six bedrooms complete with luxurious furniture and art.
Built in 1280, it was the home of Lucy Walter, mistress to King Charles II. Set in ten acres, it’s only a short drive to Newgale beach. Stay in one room from £160 B&B – see rochcastle.com. Or hire the entire castle from £3,870 – that’s £322.50pp. See coastalcottages.co.uk
Aikwood Tower
ENJOY a highland fling at stone tower in the Ettrick Forest near Selkirk. Built in the 1540s, it has a spiral staircase winding its way through the heart of the building to the regal great hall.
It sleeps ten in five ensuite bedrooms, there’s a kitchen with an Aga on the vaulted ground floor and open fireplace plus bar. Three nights is from £945 – that’s £94.50pp. For details, see oneoffplaces.co.uk
Thornbury Castle
BUILT in the 1500s, the castle has housed kings, queens and dukes. Set in Thornbury, just north of Bristol, it is the only Tudor castle to be open as a hotel in England, with 27 bedrooms.
The Tower Suite boasts a 10ft-wide four-poster bed – the UK’s largest – which is covered in silk damask.
Prices are from £199 per room, per night B&B. See thornburycastle.co.uk or call 0844 482 2152.
Snape Castle
PERFECT for wannabe princesses, fulfil a childhood fantasy with a stay in this Grade I listed castle in North Yorks, which was home to Catherine Parr, wife to King Henry VIII.
The Undercroft, part of the castle’s outbuildings, can sleep four in two bedrooms, plus an open-plan living area.
Seven nights is from £564 – that’s from £141pp. Call 01244 617 683 or see sykescottages.co.uk.
St Briavels Castle
KING John was the first to grace the royal bedchamber in this 12th century castle in Gloucestershire.
Medieval banquets are regularly hosted here and it is now a YHA hostel with 66 beds in shared dorms or private rooms, ideal for families and groups. Dorm beds from £17per night, private rooms from £89 per night, based on two sharing. Call 0345 371 9042 or see yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-st-briavels/
Walworth Castle
BUILT by Sir Gilbert Hansard in 1189, Walworth Castle stands in 18 acres in Darlington.
Now a 3-star hotel you can bed down like royalty in the castle’s four-poster rooms, one of the tower suites or the gatehouse lodges, which can cater for six guests – with two lounges and its own private garden with hot tub. It is also dog-friendly.
Rooms are from £94.50 per night. See walworthcastle.co.uk
Doyden Castle
A MINIATURE marvel on a clifftop above Port Quin, Cornwall, it was owned by hedonist Samuel Symons in the 1830s as a place to entertain.
With incredible views and glorious isolation, it now plays hosts to an eccentric one-bedroom holiday home full of quirks from its past.
Two nights from £477 in total for two. See nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays or call 0344 800 2070.
most read in travel
Dover Castle
STANDING atop the white cliffs, the castle has been occupied since Roman times. Once a prison, today the 13th century Perevell’s Tower sleeps two in comfort.
It has spectacular views from the rooftop terrace – you can see France on a clear day. Explore the underground hospital and secret wartime tunnels.
A three-night short break for two starts from £490. See englishheritage.org.uk
- GOT a news story? RING us on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk