The 600-year-old Middleton castle that’s open to the public for the first time – and you can even spend the night
A 600-YEAR-OLD castle in the UK has opened its doors to the public for the first time in its history.
Middleton Castle in Norfolk was built in 1445 by English nobleman Thomas Scales.
The Grade I listed building is surrounded by a moat on the grounds of a large estate.
Despite being a family home since the 16th century, the castle has recently been repurposed as a retreat.
The castle can sleep up to 38 people inside 15 bedrooms, including seven double bedrooms and one master suite.
It is also home to ten bathrooms, including five en-suites, three family bathrooms, and two toilets.
There are also four reception rooms, and a billiards room featuring a snooker table, a table tennis table, and a bar.
Other features include a large dining room capable of seating up to 30 people, and a family kitchen.
Meanwhile, on the grounds, there’s a summer house, a croquet lawn, fire pits, and a barbecue.
There’s also room in the grounds for helicopters to land and space for a large marquee.
Holidaymakers can also request optional access to the Tower Lodge and the Keepers Cottage, both of which can sleep additional guests.
Will Parry, CEO of ALTIDO, told the Eastern Daily Press: “We’re delighted to be opening the doors of this historic property.
“A castle of such proportion and size offers guests a luxurious, secluded retreat that doesn’t compromise when it comes to character and space.”
Prices are available on request, and it can also be booked out for special occasions like holidays, weddings, and corporate events.
While the castle has opened to overnight guests, it is yet to welcome day visitors into its grounds.
Middleton Castle is a five-minute drive from the village of Middleton, and it’s a 12-minute drive from King’s Lynn.
There are plenty of other castles where holidaymakers can stay overnight too, including Leeds Castle.
Earlier this year, Leeds Castle, which is in Kent, announced that it would be renting out its bedrooms to guests.
The rooms were previously used by high-ranking members of the royal family and Hollywood movie stars
Guests can choose to stay in the Castle’s State Bedrooms, where heiress Lady Baillie hosted the likes of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Winston Churchill, and even Charlie Chaplin.
Visitors can also opt for a stay in the Battlement Bedrooms, which were designed to house the staff of Lady Baillie’s guests.
Overnight stays at the castle only run on certain days of the year, with new dates set to be announced via a waiting list.
And one woman revealed how she stayed in an English fairytale castle for just £68 – with a medieval banquet hall & Harry Potter-style rooms.
And in Wales, there is a Rapunzel-style fairytale tower for just £40pp a night.
It even has a pink princess bedroom at the very top.
And here are 10 of the best castles in the UK where you can spend the night.
