From reading fairytales as a child to dreaming of restoring a historic French château, most of us have dreamed of living in an enchanting palace.
From a rustic New York castle in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains to an enchanting self-build in Adelaide, Australia, these palatial properties look straight out of a storybook.
Grab your crown or tiara and click or scroll to explore the majestic castles we'd love to call home...
Le Château de Vaumarcus, or Vaumarcus Castle, is one of the finest we've ever seen.
Situated on an elevated plot in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, the structure is a beautiful example of refined medieval architecture, with pretty turrets and decorative window shutters, to name just a few remarkable details.
The castle is enclosed by more than seven acres (2.8ha) of land and boasts a sprawling, 17,577-square-foot (1,632sqm) interior.
There are 200 rooms in total, across six buildings, including a château with a dungeon and two apartments, a Palais with seven luxury apartments, a shepherd's house, numerous offices, and a reception hall.
Of course, every single room is incredible, kitted out with the finest materials, furnishings, and fabrics.
There's a formal dining room with a stunning wooden ceiling, exposed stonework, glossy parquet floor, and medieval-inspired details. Meanwhile, this romantic bedroom features a gorgeous arched window and a four-poster bed.
Plus, thanks to the home's location and elevated position, it enjoys stunning views of nearby Lake Neuchâtel from almost every window.
Previously for sale via Cardis Immobilier Sotheby's International Realty, this remarkable Swiss castle had a secret price tag, which only adds to its allure. No matter how much it costs, Le Château de Vaumarcus would be worth every penny.
Australia isn't exactly known for its historic castles, but if you know where to look, you can find some truly amazing properties. Thorngrove Manor lies in Australia’s Adelaide Hills and has been operating as a luxury hotel for almost three decades.
The unique building was designed and built by owner Kenneth Lehmann, who began envisioning the design for a niche hotel in 1977.
Kenneth and his wife, Nydia Lehmann, saw all hotels as standard, “cookie-cutter" buildings that lacked charm and individuality. So, at the age of 35, in 1984, Kenneth began designing a Gothic-style castle that would become one of Adelaide's most unique and impressive hotels.
Despite its storybook looks – pretty turrets, rough stone walls, and delicate windows – Kenneth and Nydia were not looking to build a fairytale castle. In fact, they told boutique hotel booking site Tablet Hotels that "'fairytale' is a tad cringeworthy for us".
Instead, the pair were attempting to create an “expression in architecture”, with their neighbouring buildings, a Scottish baronial tower and a stone belltower, helping them to choose an “imposing, baronial, and gothic-influenced residence”.
Inside, the property is bursting with stunning details, from elaborate fireplaces and decorative plasterwork to antique furnishings and artworks. Every single room is exquisite and romantic, with many providing enchanting views across the surrounding estate.
There are plenty of treasures to be found, too, including a four-panel, 1860s leadlight artwork that was originally commissioned by the House of Lords. There are endless bedrooms for guests to choose from, as well, including The Queens Chamber, The Tower Room, and the Observatory, which benefits from a ceiling of golden painted stars, set above a circular, semi-sunken bathtub.
There are no communal spaces, save for the formal dining room, but guests can spend their days exploring the castle's striking grounds. Thorngrove Manor Hotel has been listed on the World’s Most Luxurious Hotels for the past 20-plus years, and it really isn't difficult to understand why.
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Scotland is known for its amazing architecture and ancient fortresses, and Dollarbeg Castle is just one of them. Located in Clackmannanshire, the property was designed by local architect Ebenezer Simpson and finished in 1889.
It was crafted for then-owner, Major William Henry Dobie J.P., and his wife, Mamie Eva Louise Wilson. Simpson was influenced by the baronial style of Balmoral Castle, and it really shows in the home's design.
During World War II, Scotland was under RAF 13 group and in 1941, the no.72 Wing of the RAF was formed and stationed at Dollarbeg Castle. A radio mast was erected by the RAF to control all radar stations, from the Tees in northern England to the Forth in Scotland.
Following years of decline, the castle was restored in 2007, and today it serves as a remarkable Airbnb.
It was during the renovation that this luxurious apartment was created. It has three themed bedrooms and a cinema room.
The Tower Apartment is kitted out with the finest antique furnishings, as well as plush fabrics and wallpapers. Plus, guests can enjoy outstanding views from every window.
There's even a tower room, which provides access to a private rooftop terrace. From here, lucky guests can take in panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the Ochil Hills. With scenery like this, we doubt we'd want to ever leave Dollarbeg Castle.
Aptly named, The Castle finds itself on half an acre (0.2ha) of land in Lorne Park, an idyllic neighbourhood in Mississauga, Ontario.
With its imposing exterior, complete with a soaring tower, battlements, and other dreamy storybook design details, this property is what fairytale homes are made of.
The amazing Canadian home has an equally remarkable interior. Constructed in 1976, the pad stretches 2,620 square feet (243sqm) and comes complete with sprawling living spaces, finished with high-end materials and designer furnishings.
There's an entrance hall, several formal living rooms, a dining room, five bedrooms, six bathrooms, and two home offices.
The huge attic would make for a dreamy master suite, while the fully-finished basement is currently the ultimate man cave, with a luxe games room.
Yet the finest space in the house has to be this exquisite bedroom. Just look at that cathedral ceiling and stained-glass window. There are plenty of other amazing design elements throughout, too, from coffered ceilings and stone floors to expansive fireplaces and hand-painted murals.
Other highlights include the home’s swimming pool, koi pond, hot tub, and custom kitchen. Previously for sale for CAD$5.8 million, which equates to £3.1 million ($4.2m), the impressive property sold for just shy of CAD$3.5 million (£1.9m/$2.5m), via The Papousek Team.
You might not expect to find a fairytale castle in the USA, but Highlands Castle proves they do exist.
The property lies in Warren County, New York, and has amazing views of Lake George and the surrounding Adirondack Mountains – and that's just for starters!
Of course, the amazing American castle boasts suitably grand features, both inside and out, with stained-glass doors, a sweeping staircase, hanging tapestries, pitched ceilings finished with exposed beams, and suits of armour standing guard.
There's a dramatic foyer, a Great Hall, a music room, a library, a kitchen, a dining room, a family room, a coat room, and much more.
It might appear like the property was constructed centuries ago, but this historic home isn't all it seems. In fact, it wasn’t built until the 1980s. It was designed by the original owner, John A. Lavender II, who wanted to create the perfect home for his family.
At the age of 23, John went through a divorce and began renting a room in a shared house with five other men. However, with a three-year-old son to care for, he knew this living situation could only be temporary. He promised his son that one day, he would build him a castle. Almost five years later, in 1983, John bought the plot at Bolton Landing and began constructing his dream home.
In 1986, John met his future wife, Yvonne, who helped him turn "a pile of rocks into a home". By the time John's son was a teenager, he was helping with the build. Together, they laid more than 1,000 tons of local granite, which took decades. In fact, the house was 42 years in the making.
Today, there are three holiday home castles on the estate, which also function as a wedding venue. If you fancy playing prince or princess, then the castle is available to rent via Airbnb.
Thornbury Castle is the epitome of the classic English castle. In fact, it was here that infamous King Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn, honeymooned in 1535.
The ill-fated couple spent 10 days at the property as part of their belated honeymoon tour, and we can certainly see what drew them to the place.
The Tudor castle can be found in Bristol, Gloucestershire, and dates back to the 1520s. It was constructed by Edward Stafford, the "only man to rival King Henry VIII’s wealth and status at that time", according to the castle's official website.
Of course, the fiery king saw this display of status and wealth as a direct insult, and Edward Stafford was soon found guilty of treason. Henry VIII took control of the castle, and it became a beloved retreat for him and his future wives.
The royal home later passed through the hands of Henry VIII's children, Edward VI and Queen Mary Tudor. Today, it's a lavish hotel and wedding venue. Of course, there are plenty of majestic rooms where guests can relax and soak up the splendour of 16th-century luxury.
Every single room is gorgeously presented, with some featuring decorative ceilings, stone fireplaces, four-poster beds, and dramatic chandeliers. There's also a grand ballroom and a dungeon dining room.
As for bedrooms, guests can choose to stay in the Henry VII Suite, the Jane Seymour Suite, or this enchanting room – the Catherine of Aragon Tower Suite (among others).
This room sits at the top of a 77-step spiral staircase and features 24-carat gilding and the largest four-poster bed in any UK hotel. We don't mind if we do!
This dreamy European castle is just as spectacular as the landscape that surrounds it. Set in the heart of the Italian Alps, at the base of the mighty Brenta Dolomites, Castel Valer was constructed on the foundations of a Roman castle, built between the 12th and 17th centuries.
The property had belonged to the aristocratic Spaur family since 1368, until they decided to sell it in 2016. They placed the beautiful building for sale, via Concierge Auctions, and at the time it was valued at £29.7 million ($40m), according to TopTenRealEstateDeals.com.
As spacious as it is enchanting, the castle has 80 rooms across a staggering 35,520 square feet (3,299sqm) interior.
The family of Count Spaur zu Flavon und Valer spent the last 20 years restoring the property, and it's now in pristine condition, with every single room exquisitely decorated with Romanesque, Baroque, and Gothic architectural features.
From plush fabrics and antique furnishings to rustic ceiling beams, full-height stone fireplaces, wood inlay floors, and 16th-century frescoes painted by Marcello Fogolino, every single room is brimming with gorgeous and one-of-a-kind details.
This dining space is cosy and elegant, with its rich wood décor and highly decorative doors.
Plus, the property has almost too many selling points. There are 18.5 acres (7.5ha) of land surrounding it, 15 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, an octagonal granite tower, a Knights’ Hall, five kitchens, and not one, but two chapels.
This particular one is utterly incredible, with its colourful, well-preserved frescoes that were curated by famous painters of the age. Who wouldn't want to make this dreamy castle their own?
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