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Unique Grade II Listed Castle (Portfolio of 21 Dwellings)

Stanhope Castle, Bishop Auckland, County Durham

25 Beds
21 Bathrooms
21 Reception Rooms

Guide price: £4,750,000

Signature North East

Whitley Bay

:

0191 251 3344

Overview

This is a RARE & DESIRABLE property. To watch or bid visit Rare & Desirable – The Bidding Platform. All viewings and surveys must be arranged via the Estate Agent.

Offering a rare investment opportunity to acquire Stanhope Castle, a fabulous business and lifestyle property portfolio. Built in 1798, this building boasts a wealth of rich history, incredible period features, and enchanting substantial grounds. The Castle consists of 21 properties in total, 16 of these being held by the current owner. All are all beautifully styled and decorated, with 70% currently with residential letting agreements in place and 30% successfully rented as holiday homes. The sale includes the Freehold to all but one of these properties as well as the freehold to the estate land. Any investor interested in purchasing this amazing portfolio, has the security of all properties under tenancy agreements.

This beautiful grade II listed building and its surrounding land is set in a delightful location with an exciting history to explore. Stanhope was a centre of activity for both agricultural and military purposes throughout the 14th century, having King Edward III and his army reside in the area whilst at battle.

The wonderful village of Stanhope, County Durham, showcases beautiful natural surroundings, placed along the banks of the River Wear, and presenting a huge stretch of mature woodlands, fields, and greenery, adding to the tranquil settings, and making this a peaceful place to reside in or visit. Nestled in the centre of Stanhope village, there are a range of local amenities close by, including eateries, shops, bars, restaurants, and Stanhope train station, which provides links to surrounding towns and villages as well as hosting the popular Christmas train service each year, which is a must for those visiting this wonderful area.

Due to its fantastic location and beauty, it is understandable that the castle has become an exceptionally popular place for visitors to stay, with the current owner renovating a range of holiday lets to an exceptional standard, which generate a huge success from guests all year round. The castle is also a licensed wedding venue which has successfully celebrated many weddings, some of those being held outdoors on the beautifully maintained front lawns.

Entering the castle grounds via the main arched entrance there is a welcoming feeling of grandeur and opulence from the enchanting architectural features, including battlement walls and tall archways. All the rooms within the building have been tastefully styled with great care and boast a modern look yet compliment the traditional features and significance of the property. The apartments are spacious and some showcase original features such as exposed brick stone walls and archways with most also offering breath-taking views of the castle grounds and surrounding countryside.

The castle grounds are incredibly beautiful, with extensive well maintained lawn space bordered by stone walls and mature trees. The established woodlands provide an enchanting environment that are perfect for walks and adventures with numerous enjoyable footpaths to benefit from.

Alongside this once in a life time investment opportunity, there is also development land and planning permission for an additional five plots which upon completion are to offer two houses and three bungalows, designed to an exceptionally high standard and will reside within the castle boundary.

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Material Information

The information above has been provided by the vendor and may not be accurate. Please refer to the Legal Pack provided on this page.

Council Tax Band: Band A
Tenure: Freehold
EPC: N/A
Completion Timeframe: 100 Days

Map

Fees & Charges

This property is sold subject to payment of a non-refundable Reservation Fee of 2.5% of the purchase price including VAT, subject to a minimum of £5,000.00 including VAT.

The successful purchaser will be required to pay this fee to secure the sale. The Reservation Fee is in addition to the purchase price, so please take this into account when bidding.

Before placing a bid, buyers must check the sale timescale shown on the property listing, as this determines whether the sale is conditional or unconditional and what payments will be required.

Time scale Information 

A 56-day or 100-day sale is a conditional sale (Modern Method of Sale).

  • the Reservation Fee applies and  all reasonable endeavours must be made to exchange contracts immediately following the Buyer’s Solicitor receiving the Draft Contract.

By placing a bid, buyers confirm that they have checked the advertised sale timescale and understand which fees and payments apply to that property.

A Legal Pack will be provided. The successful bidder will pay £349.00 including VAT for this pack if provided. If you are considering buying with a mortgage, please inspect the property and consult your lender to confirm suitability before bidding.

Optional Services: Services may be recommended by the Agent or Rare & Desirable. If taken, a payment may be received from the service provider. Payment amounts
vary and will be confirmed when offered. These services are entirely optional.

Viewings, surveys or any formal inspections can all be carried out via the Estate Agent prior to bidding.

A 28-day sale is an unconditional auction. Contracts exchange immediately on the fall of the hammer, and the buyer will be required to pay: a non-refundable 10% deposit (paid to the Seller’s solicitor as stakeholder), and the non-refundable Reservation Fee payable to Rare & Desirable

For further information speak to one of our team: info@rareanddesirable.co.uk. Click here for more information on SDLT.

Bidding History

5 May 2026 00:00Bidding started

Download the Legal Pack

A legal pack will provide material Information to help you to make an informed decision before making a bid. It may not include everything you need to know so make sure you do your own research too.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of these details, they are provided as a general guide and do not form part of any offer or contract. Prospective buyers should not rely on them as statements of fact and are encouraged to carry out their own inspections and due diligence. Rare & Desirable, nor any person acting on our behalf, is authorised to make or provide any representation or warranty regarding the property.