This property is on the market for £1,900,000, listed with Strutt & Parker. 

This historic 16th century castle is tucked away in the heart of a 25 acre estate in North East England. 

The Grade I-listed Coupland Castle dates back to the 1580s, and is not actually a castle at all, but rather a tower house, expanded over the centuries.  

Before Coupland Castle was built, the lands belonged to Sir John de Coupland who famously captured the Scottish King at the Battle of Neville’s Cross in 1346. The construction of Pele Tower on the Coupland lands was the last fortified building constructed on the Border to protect against marauders. 

The smallest tower was built after the Union of Scotland and England (1603) and features a unique spiral staircase designed for a left-handed swordsman. The mantle in the sitting room of this tower features an original engraving ‘GW 1619 MW’, for the owners of the property at the time, representing George and Mary Wallis.

In the 18th century, a farmhouse was added to the property and it was sold in 1713 to the famous Royal Navy Ship Commander, Captain Chaloner Ogle who defeated Bartholomew Roberts in the Battle of Cape Lopez in 1722. 

The famous pirate had captured some 456 ships over his 4 year career that has been dubbed “the golden age of piracy”. The character of Capt Jack Sparrow in the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ films is inspired by the real life Roberts.  

In the 19th century, the property was sold again and expanded with a late Georgian addition, linking the tower to the farmhouse, before being sold again.

In 1938, Sir Walter Aitchison purchased the estate and added formal and kitchen gardens and an arboretum, particularly striking in the springtime with its abundance of daffodils, snowdrops and bluebells. 

In 1979, the late antique dealer and restorer Robin Jell and his wife purchased the estate and set about restoring the 13,747 square foot house. The principal house features large reception rooms and beautiful period detail throughout, with 11 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. with 11 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. 

The Tower has been converted into a 4-bedroom self-contained apartment, let to tenants, and there is also a 3-bedroom cottage and lodge on the property, also rented out. 

In the courtyard of Coupland Castle, there is also a studio / coach house, workshops, a barn, a garage, and 3 stables.

All photos belong to the listing agency.