A Castle Where Horrible Histories Was Filmed Is For Sale

Terrible Tudors, slimy Stuarts, gorgeous Georgians, vile Victorians… nine centuries of Britons have walked the imposing stone halls of Grade II Listed Allington Castle, a 12th-century mansion just outside of Maidstone, Kent. And now, you have the chance to embody your inner royal and take up seat where the likes of Henry VIII once did, as Allington Castle is now on the market for £5m. 

If you think you recognise this medieval fortress, you’re not mistaken: for the last few decades, the building has been used as a filming location for films and TV shows including CBBC’s Horrible Histories, where gruesome characters and abominable aristocrats made their homes within the castle walls. If you’ve always felt a certain affinity for the bacchanalian King Charles II, this might just be the property for you: after all, its potential for 30 bedrooms is perfect for anyone prone to partying.

Like the vast range of kooky characters that have inhabited the castle in TV form, the real Allington has had quite the almost-millennium long history itself. In the 1500s, Henry VIII dined in the Great Hall with his then-wife Anne Boleyn as they visited Thomas Wyatt, who owned the estate at the time. After a fire damaged the structure in the late 16th century, Allington Castle fell into disrepair and was largely abandoned until it was bought and restored by Sir Martin Conway in 1905. 

It’s since been home to a Carmelite convent, and today is used, alongside its destination as a filming location, as a private event space, hosting weddings and soirees – its beautifully pruned gardens are a particular draw for movie-makers and party planners alike. 

Inside The Castle

As a family home, Allington Castle is anything but cramped: its vastness (42,160 sq ft, plus 42 acres of land) makes room for anywhere from 14 to 30 rooms, though, as the king of this castle, you’d of course be well in your right to turn the rooms into whatever you fancy. Home cinema, anyone? 

The current owners have chosen to preserve the front half of the castle faithfully to its historic roots, while making it a warm and liveable space: alongside bedrooms, a kitchen/dining room and a sitting room, it features a library fit for any history-lovers collection. The property also boasts separate cottages in the grounds, so whether you’re throwing Saltburn-style parties or looking to take on commercial opportunities, you’ll have no shortage of rooms.

While as a family home you’d surely be the envy of all your peers, one of the main appeals of this property is its commercial appeal. The castle is fitted with a commercial kitchen and converted barn that’s perfect for large gatherings – wedding hosting would be a particularly profitable business model – and a whopping nine separate cottages/ lodgings in the castle grounds. So whether you’re throwing a wild birthday parties for the kids or looking to develop ever-prosperous commercial opportunities, you’ll have no shortage of guest accommodations.

The grounds and architecture are particularly spectacular. Allington castle is surrounded by a moat – so if you’ve made any enemies recently, you’ll be well protected – and has preserved its original features. Among its medieval credentials are two inner courtyards, a bear-baiting ring, a Tilt (jousting) yard and Dog Caves beneath the castle. No identikit architecture to be seen here. 

And for amenities that might be put to a bit more use, take your pick from a tennis court, a large Victorian-style greenhouse and an indoor swimming pool. At £5m, and in commuter distance from London, we’d say all that is almost a bargain.