A Grand English Castle in the Wiltshire Countryside
If you have notions of living in a proper English castle, Devizes Castle in Wiltshire offers the expected castellations and turrets as well as history that dates to the 11th century.
The current castle was built in the 1830s and stands on top of ruins of a former royal household that was passed down through kings and queens for 500 years from the 1130s, until 1648 when it was dismantled in the English Civil War.
The first castle was built on the site by Bishop Osmund of Salisbury around 1080, according to Savills, which has the listing. After a fire, it was rebuilt in stone in 1113 and claimed by King Stephen of Blois in the 1130s.
It was passed down through the royal family over the years and was frequently visited by monarchs, including King John, Henry III and Edward I. The old castle eventually passed to Henry VIII, who gave it to his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, but later reclaimed it after their divorce.
Today, all that remains of the original castle is its mound, the outline of the moat and some foundations.
Despite the fact that the current five-story castle dates to the 1830s, “it looks like a proper medieval British castle,” listing agent George Nares said. “On that elevated position, it looks like a mini-Windsor Castle.”
And “because of that elevated position, it has fantastic views,” he said. To the east, you’re looking out over the town of Devizes, and to the west, “you’re seeing the rolling countryside of Wiltshire.”
It’s very private, he said. “you’re within the castle walls, once you go through the gatehouse, so it is very secluded from the town.”
The castle has “lovely big rooms that are fantastic for entertaining,” Mr. Nares said.
There are an array of period features throughout the castle, including stone archways and mullioned windows with working shutters, grand fireplaces, long galleries, oak floorboards, high and beamed ceilings, and an unusual bowed fernery with an elegant wooden ceiling.
If you have notions of living in a proper English castle, Devizes Castle in Wiltshire offers the expected castellations and turrets as well as history that dates to the 11th century. The current castle was built in the 1830s and stands on top of ruins of a former royal household that was passed down through…