Maintaining an ageing palatial property comes with a substantial price tag. Once opulent architectural landmarks, these stately homes are now teetering on the edge of survival. While some are already void of life and succumbing to signs of decay, others have taken decisive action, diversifying into new businesses, and even opening up to the public. Find out whether rescue or ruin awaits these regal properties...

In 2004, the Fulford family took part in a fly-on-the-wall documentary about their struggles to keep their costly stately home running in the modern age. Head of the family, Francis Fulford has even written a book aimed at giving tips to other estate owners, while more recently his son Eddy has proved a hit on the Channel 4 reality show Rise and Fall.

The Grade I listed property, known as Great Fulford House, is about nine miles west of Exeter and has been the Fulford family seat since 1190. The present mansion is Tudor in origin but was refurbished in the late 17th and 19th centuries. More recently Francis has undertaken some renovation work himself in several rooms including the Great Parlour seen here.

Running the house is a constant struggle. As well as the refurbishments, seen here in the anteroom, there are the annual insurance and maintenance costs, which are well in excess of £20,000 ($26k). The roof was repaired in 2010 and cost £100,000 ($128k) so Francis has been forced to come up with some inventive schemes to raise funds, including opening the house to the public on occasion and renting the house out as a wedding venue.

The family bloodline goes back to Richard the Lionheart, who gave the first Francis Fulford the Devon estate in 1190 for his support in the Crusades. Another ancestor, Sir Baldwin de Fulford, who served in the 100 Years War, was hung drawn and quartered after being captured by the Yorkists in the War of the Roses. Life is no less challenging for the present lord of the manor who is determined that his castle will remain his home for some time to come!

This regal castle was once home to Queen Katherine Parr and holds her marble tomb. It's now the home of Elizabeth, Lady Ashcombe and her son, daughter and their families, the Dent-Brockenhursts. The family has said it is committed to preserving the castle and grounds, which includes an extravagant topiary garden, but it's not been plain sailing.

Neglected for 200 years, it was given a new lease of life with an ambitious rebuilding programme in the 1850s by the new owners, the Dent brothers. Over 100 years on, the property remained in the same family but was losing a reported £100,000 ($128k) a year. In 2007, the property featured on a TV show called ‘Crisis at the Castle’, following the developing feud between members of the Dent-Brocklehurst family (including Lady Ashcombe) over how to raise enough funds to keep the place running.

American-born Lady Ashcombe was unimpressed with her children hiring out the castle for weddings, including that of family friend Elizabeth Hurley who married Arun Nayar here in 1997, and complained about the inconvenience caused and the guests' propensity to vomit on her manicured lawns. The family were also forced to sell a painting by JMW Turner in 2008, reported the Evening Standard, for an estimated £7 million ($9m) to help with repairs.

Sudeley’s fortunes seem to have improved since then. In an interview in 2015, Lady Ashcombe said she was hopeful about the future of the castle, which has been developing better visitor strategies and paying attention to reviews to make it a more popular attraction. Plus, according to reports, the estate has applied for planning permission to turn some of its decaying farm buildings into new houses, which could help solve many of its financial challenges going forward.

Set upon a hilltop in the French Pyrenees, Château de Gudanes was first a 13th-century fortress, then a 15th-century castle, before Louis Gaspard de Sales, Marquis de Gudanes, set about transforming it into the palatial château you see today in 1745. In 1811, following the Reign of Terror, the château was acquired by the Astrié family. It passed through several generations before being purchased in 1989 by a syndicate, intent on transforming the chateau into a luxury hotel.

When the Chateau was declared a historic monument in 1994, planning permission for the development was rejected and the house consequently fell into disrepair. The interior was reduced to rubble, suffering water damage and mould, with remnants of regal wallpaper hinting at the dwelling's grand past.

Sweeping staircases and decadent wrought-iron detailing offer a window into the Chateau's opulent former life. It's these striking features that inspired Craig and Karina Waters from Australia to purchase the property in 2013. They were determined to undo the decades of neglect and restore the spirit of the structure.

Still ongoing, the couple has embarked on a sensitive renovation, repairing the structural fabric of the building where necessary but preserving and incorporating the signs of wear and history. Imperfect plasterwork and rough edges sit alongside opulent furnishings, creating a fascinating, liveable space, rather than a stagnant museum, and offering a unique insight into life in an 18th-century château.

To fund the renovations, the Waters family have pursued creative avenues of income. The fairytale castle now hosts tours, parties and weddings, along with popular restoration workshops and hands-on cookery classes. The owners have even published a book about the home's history and have featured in glossy magazines including Vogue and Architectural Digest. 

The Earl of Cardigan’s ancestral estate Tottenham House in Wiltshire has been left to decay since his forebears moved out at the end of the Second World War. But now it looks set to be given a new lease of life as billionaire hedge fund manager Chris Rokos submits plans to turn the Grade l listed building into a family home, fit for modern-day living.

The estate dates back to Norman times and has a fascinating history as a seat of the Seymour family, best known as the clan that produced Jane Seymour, third wife of Henry VIII and only wife to bear him a son, King Edward Vl. The current house, which has over 100 rooms, mostly dates from the 1820s and is located in Savernake Forest, England’s only privately-owned forest.

The present Earl of Cardigan, David Brudenell-Bruce, lost his battle to keep the property in the family in 2014 when trustees decided it should be sold. At the time, he was unable to afford to heat the White Lodge, where his family lived, seen here, and was claiming jobseeker's allowance. The estate was sold to a property developer for £11.25m ($14.3m) and later purchased by Mr Rokos.

According to planning permission papers, the aim is to return the property to its former glory, as seen in this photo from Behind Closed Doors of the former grand room, with its spectacular parquet floors and  plaster ceiling  When it’s finished, the house will require around 69 staff and have running costs equivalent to a medium-sized hotel. Just as well the new owner has an estimated worth, according to The Sunday Times Rich List, of £1.25 billion ($1.6bn).

One of the most important Jacobean mansions in Wales, Plas Teg was built around 1610 by courtier Sir John Trevor. It was requisitioned during the Second World War and then served as a furniture store before Patrick Trevor-Roper saved it from demolition in 1957. Fast forward to 1986 and enter antiques dealer Cornelia Bayley, who bought it for £70,000 ($89k) and set about restoring it to its former glory.

Back then the house resembled “Dracula’s castle” according to Bayley, who has dedicated her life to Plas Teg, replacing the roof and putting the building back into sound physical shape. Although still a private family home, Bayley opens her doors to the public from time to time for tours and events, while the Plas Teg Trust set up a GoFundMe campaign in 2021 to support ongoing restoration work.

An obsessive collector, Bayley has filled its cavernous rooms with lavish Regency and Empire furniture as well as ceramics and kitchenware. All the paintings on display are copies, but fill the acres of wall space very nicely thank you! Bayley has become something of a legend herself and has featured on several TV shows including Country House Rescue.

Its most unique draw, however, is the dwelling's ghostly goings-on. Often called “the most haunted house in Wales”, Plas Teg hosts regular paranormal events, where it's claimed: "Tables rock and tip, objects move, lights and sounds appear and people experience heat, cold, and rapid mood swings." Guests claim they are sometimes able to communicate with loved ones passing through the house, as well as the house spirits.

This Wakefield mansion was built in the 1770s and named after renowned Horbury-born architect, John Carr. In recent years, the slowly decaying building has been the site of much in-fighting between the council and locals. It was last used as offices after being taken on by Wakefield Council in the 1930s, but has since fallen into disrepair.

Locals have fought plans to turn the 16-bedroom building into a private house, and also against proposed flats, which campaigners have said will alter the building irreversibly and destroy the historic grounds, which are regularly used for local events including charity fundraising activities like the popular Wakefield Hospital sponsored dog walk.

The newest application to convert the Grade II listed mansion into apartments has been recommended for approval by planning officers, however, this news was met by scores of letters of objection from residents, who want the building to be used as a community facility. The future of the building is still hanging in the balance, and meanwhile, local historians have written a history of the house and its occupants, which should whip up some interest in the property.

Built between 1598 and 1610 by Sir Henry Griffith, Burton Agnes Hall is an Elizabethan stately home that’s been in the current family for more than 400 years and holds the collected treasures of 15 generations.

The current building is Grade I listed, but it sits on the Norman site of the older manor house built in 1173. In 1990, it passed to its manager, Susan Cunliffe-Lister, who has worked tirelessly to rescue the stately structure from the brink of ruin and ensure the home continues to meet its running and repair costs.

It’s diversified perhaps more than most other stately homes to ensure its survival, offering an artist-in-residence programme, woodland walks, set hire for filming, photography, weddings and events. It also hosts a jazz festival, an easter egg hunt, a classic car rally, an English Civil War re-enactment, a gardeners' fair, and a Michaelmas fair; as well as the seeds and plants grown in the impressive gardens.

With its busy calendar, there's still a lot of time dedicated to keeping the estate looking its best. However, most of the money from tourism goes on repairs and covers the biggest bill, painting the outside of the building, a task which takes place every five years using the same firm of local Driffield decorators.

In the heart of the village of St Athan, the historic Grade II listed Tathan Hall was on the brink of demolition in 2016, when it was put up for auction with Cooke & Arkwright. Formerly used as a rectory and a school, the once handsome historic building, which was also known as The Old Rectory, was riddled with dry rot and was in need of urgent and extensive repair.

Luckily for the property and the local residents, help was at hand and Tathan Hall was purchased for £410,000 ($523k) by a group of buyers, known as B&K Future, who were determined to give the building a new lease of life. “We needed to make it work as a modern living environment without losing the character and feel of the place,” buyer Greg Kenney told WalesOnline.

To judge by this elegant hallway, with its curved staircase, built by a local craftsman, and its original tiled floor, restored following a fire at the property, the developers have succeeded in their mission. The building has been transformed into seven apartments, each with its unique shape, determined by its position within the old building, such as a curved wall in number seven.

The developers retained many of the original features, including an inglenook fireplace in apartment two and stunning characterful windows throughout, which allow the light to cascade into the open-plan rooms. The team have worked around the many challenges and requirements of a Grade ll listing and the seven two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments first hit the market in Spring 2021 with Peter Alan, with a starting price of £180,000 ($230k). A job well done!

Calcott Hall is a Grade II listed estate that's been left to languor in Llanymynech, Wales. Once a regal house, the red-brick property has been unoccupied since the 1970s when homeowner Ellen Jones died. Over four decades later it's fallen into disrepair, with brickwork crumbling away and window framework left to rot. 

The hall is in need of complete renovation but the challenge was accepted by one buyer recently, who has offered the £700,000 ($891k) for the Georgian country hall, which includes u-shaped traditional brick barns and just over two acres of grounds. There are a further 36 acres of agricultural land up for grabs and the property comes with planning permission for seven residential units. 

While weather damage has seeped into the interior, this relic is a time capsule of retro artefacts. The kitchen pantry is stocked with old food tins, vintage cleaning products and aged wine bottles. 

Listed on Powys Council's Buildings at Risk Register, the rooms are strewn with reminders of the home's previous life. Photographed by Jason Bellis-Jones, the lounge still contains letters, photographs and even framed exam certificates.

The abandoned property was nicknamed Red Dress Manor, after owner Ellen Jones's red satin dress was found hanging in her wardrobe after she passed away. Across the bedroom, clothes, love letters and makeup still remain, as though waiting for their owner to return. Finally, there appears to be a future for Calcott Hall, and we have a feeling that its tales will be enchanting locals for years to come.

Nestled in Bergen Country, Captain William Tyson House was built in 1864 for wealthy seafarer Captain William Tyson and his family. It's one of the last surviving grand 19th-century Italianate-style houses in the area and is currently privately owned, after being auctioned in 2019.

For a while, the future of this endangered American dwelling was uncertain. It was included on Preservation New Jersey's 10 Most Endangered Historic Properties list and was snapped up in 2015 by the Township of Rochelle Park for $600,000 (£471K) which at the time intended to restore the property to its former glory. Thankfully the artificial shingle which covered the exterior in the 1950s, a conservation no-no, is no more.

However, when it later emerged that Captain William Tyson was allegedly arrested for slave trafficking, council members decided to distance themselves from the project, voting instead to offload or demolish the house, despite resistance from residents and the local historical society. The property was listed with Vikki Healey Properties in 2019 and soon found a buyer.

The house retains many of its original features, including the natural gas chandeliers, a grand staircase and carved marble mantels in each room. At 5,600 square feet, the three-storey home includes eight bedrooms and three bathrooms and the present owners are not allowed to alter the exterior of the house or knock it down.

Tissington Hall in Derbyshire is another relative success story. It's been in the possession of Sir Richard Fitzherbert's family for 400 years but when he inherited it, he was clueless as to how he'd keep the magnificent country pile running. He estimated the cost of keeping the place at around £100,000 ($128k) per year.

Sir Richard admitted to the The Guardian back in 2008 that he sat down and cried when he inherited the property at 24, but he sees himself as a custodian of history, explaining: "If your family has been living here for five centuries, believe me, you really, really don't want to be the one that gives up on it all. It's obviously an enormous privilege living somewhere like this, but if you took more than a cursory look at the balance sheet, you'd run a mile."

In the intervening years, Tissington Hall has expanded its offering to include weddings and stays at holiday cottages around the estate. It's also open to tours of the house and grounds and throws seasonal events.

Weddings are a major source of income for the property. It offers the manor exclusively to wedding parties, giving an impressive historic backdrop to the photographs. In this way, Sir Richard, and all the homeowners, hope to keep Britain's historic buildings going for a few more centuries at least. 

The Trawsgoed (Crosswood) Estate in Ceredigion was once the second largest in Wales. The manor came into the Vaughan family by the marriage of Adda Vychan with Tudo in the year 1200, but the modern Vaughan family, who became Earls of Lisburne in 1776, have remained at Trawsgoed over successive generations.

In 2005, the place was on the market for £1.5 million ($1.9m), albeit including a surprising extra, its own aristocrat. Current owner John Vaughan explained to The Telegraph: “We are one of the few aristocratic families who have retained possession of a house since first taking it on in the Middle Ages. Whoever buys Trawsgoed (in English, Crosswood) gets a genuine, live-in, Welsh toff thrown in.” However, in 2016 it was back on the market starting at £535,000 ($682k) for a single wing.

It was then purchased by a husband-and-wife team of property developers who spent five years rescuing the estate and dividing the property into several smaller units. Susan Edwards, said: “It’s nice to think we’ve saved it from the at-risk register because it was going downhill very quickly.” A six-bedroom home in the majestic central wing of the house was on the market in 2022 for £700,00 ($893k). 

It certainly wouldn’t be hard to play the lord of manor sweeping down this elegant staircase, with its unique window lantern which floods the hallway with light alongside the sparkling chandeliers. According to reports former visitors to the original house included Kings Edward Vll and Edward Vlll along with Prime Ministers Sir Winston Churchill and William Gladstone. Now that’s an illustrious guest list!

Calke Abbey is a cautionary tale of what happens when a stately home is left to rack and ruin. Taken over by the National Trust, it's mostly been preserved in its decayed state, to show the neglect that happened to many of these properties around the middle of the 20th century.

The palatial home, which includes a stable yard with old carriages and a brewhouse, had not been touched since the 1880s before the National Trust took the dwelling under its wing.

According to the Trust, "the house and stables are little restored, with many abandoned areas vividly portraying a period in the 20th century when numerous country houses did not survive to tell their story."

Though the current building, built between 1701 and 1704, was named Calke Abbey in 1808, it has never actually been an abbey. It is a Baroque mansion owned by a single family, the Hurpurs, for nearly 300 years

It was passed to the Trust in 1985 in lieu of death duties. Today, the house is open to the public and many of its rooms are deliberately displayed in the state of decline in which the house was handed over.

Set in the undulating Blackdown Hills, Blackborough House is one of Devon’s finest architectural gems. The Italianate country mansion and its walled garden has been used as everything from a training centre for the unemployed in the 1930s, a WWll Quaker refuge for conscientious objectors, to a breakers yard, but now lies in a semi-derelict state, waiting to be loved and brought back to life.

Help is at hand,however. The Grade ll listed house features on the Victorian Society’s Top Ten Endangered Buildings 2023 and is on the market with Savills for £1.5 million ($1.9m), so is sure to be snapped up by a kindly millionaire who likes a project. The 22,000 square-foot property was built in 1838 for George Wyndham, 4^th Earl of Egremont, who wanted to compete with his cousin Baron Leconfield, who had inherited Petworth House in Sussex.

An attempt to turn Blackborough into a boutique hotel failed to win planning permission, but a recent application to return the dwelling to its former glory has been granted. The East Wing, seen here, has already undergone some renovation and is now a separate house, as it was in 1840, and there are plans for four ensuite bedrooms, along with a pool house near the swimming pool to the west of the main house.

The principal suite in the West Wing has also been refurbished and it’s not hard to see the potential for the property in this bathroom with its original windows and copper bath. The house has its own parkland and beyond the walled garden is a woodland which is carpeted in wild garlic and orchids in the Spring. Surely there is someone out there who has deep pockets and a passion for heritage, who will bring this sleeping beauty back to life!

After being named in the Victorian Society's annual Top Ten Most Endangered Buildings, there are hopes for the future of Soldiers’ Point House on Anglesey in Wales. The castle-like mansion, which has stunning sea views lies in a state of dire neglect and needs “urgent work” and a “long-term plan for its survival”, said the organisation. But it is hoped that its inclusion on the 2023 list will draw attention to its plight.

Built by Charles Rigby, who worked on some of Brunel’s engineering projects, and who oversaw the creation of Britain’s longest breakwater at Holyhead, the listed house was once a private mansion. “It’s sad to see this remarkable monument to engineering falling into disrepair,” said Victorian Society President Griff Rhys Jones, describing the house as “a rather magnificent Victorian folly.”

Whilst at Soldiers’ Point, Rigby was an Anglesey magistrate, who also commanded the 2nd Anglesey Artillery Volunteers, who he grouped together from his breakwater workers, to protect his engineering project from any foreign attack. He even funded a marching brass band for his troops. The building became a hotel in 1950 which closed around 2000.

Plans to convert the mansion into Holyhead’s Maritime Museum were dashed by a fire in 2011, say the BBC, and it has been an empty shell since. With redevelopment plans for the wider historic Soldiers’ Point area being considered however, the council are being encouraged to work with the owners to find an appropriate use for the building or encourage them to sell, if they have no use for it. “It’s not too late,” added Jones.

Fears have been raised for the fate of Winstanley Hall near Wigan, which is in danger of collapse if action is not taken to protect the once-splendid Grade ll listed building in Lancashire.  Lords of the manor since the 13th century, the Winstanley family built the Elizabethan property in the 1560s, before selling it in 1595 to James Bankes, a London goldsmith and banker.

The property was remodelled by Lewis Wyatt in the early 19th century and the stable court and other adjoining structures were built by Meyrick Bankes ll. The property was purchased by house builder, Dorbcrest, in 2000, who withdrew their application to refurbish and convert the building into residential units three years later. The building has deteriorated ever since.

Plagued by dry rot, leaking roofs and collapsed ceilings—even Neptune has lost his trident—the property has been on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register for years. Emergency repair work was carried out in 2015 after campaign group Save Winstanley Hall and Save Britain’s Heritage (SAVE) raised £250,000 ($318k) but its future is far from certain.

Over the years, there have been ghoulish stories about the deaths and suicides of people who lived on the estate, including that of one poor woman whose body was found floating in the well in the 1880s, according to one report. But one thing’s for sure, Winstanley Hall is facing certain death by demolition itself unless a plan to revive its fortunes is decided on very soon…

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