They say an Englishman’s home is his castle, but you don’t always have to pay a king’s ransom to buy a piece of one.

The Great Hall at Apley Castle is the showpiece property of the converted ruins of this medieval fortress and it can be purchased for £425,000

Originally a moated and fortified manor house, Apley Castle is in the village of Hadley in Shropshire.

For many centuries it was the home of the Charlton family, who were major landowners in the region.

It was first crenellated and later expanded into an Elizabethan mansion.

During the Civil War it was a Royalist stronghold. However, it was sacked by Parliamentary forces and the lead from the roof stolen for Shrewsbury Castle.

Another mansion was built – also called Apley Castle – in the 18th century and the old building was made into stables.

Deemed too expensive to maintain, the Georgian-era Apley Castle was dismantled and its contents sold off in the middle of last century. The original castle/stables were left to fall into disrepair.

Some 40 years later they were renovated and turned into eight unique homes, preserving the authentic features wherever possible. The castle is now Grade II* listed.

The Great Hall is a three-bedroom property that is packed with character and charm.

An imposing oak door leads into the entrance porch with quarry tiles and a cloakroom off.

Directly ahead is the kitchen/breakfast room, which has solid wood units, a Rangemaster oven and hob plus a double sink.

In the elegant drawing room there is ample space for a variety of activities. Its many windows include a double height, stone mullioned window. There is also a substantial fireplace with a Jotul gas stove.

Both this room and an adjoining dining room overlook a rear paved courtyard.

Upstairs, the property has a large master bedroom with fitted cupboards, en suite bathroom and separate shower.

There are a two further double bedrooms and a family bathroom accessed from a wide landing with a minstrels’ gallery.

The garden is at the front of the Great Hall and has a gravelled area, a variety of plants and ample parking. There is a garden store to the side.

More green space is available in Apley Woods, a 56 acre landscaped site offering tranquil woodland walks with lakes and specimen trees.

Like the complex which the Great Hall is central too, these woods were once part of the Apley Estate.

The nearby market town of Wellington provides many amenities including rail services to Wolverhampton/Birmingham.

Telford offers further shopping and leisure facilities.

The M54 gives easy access to Shrewsbury and Birmingham.

VIEWING INFORMATION

AGENT: Savills

TEL: 01952 239 500

WEB: www.savills.co.uk

GUIDE PRICE: £425,000