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Lympne Castle up for sale at £11 million

A Grade I-listed Kent castle has been put up for sale with a price tag of £11 million.

The historic country estate of Lympne Castle, near Hythe - said to have once hosted Mick Jagger - is being marketed by estate agents Savills.

Lympne Castle has been put up for sale. Picture: Gary Browne
Lympne Castle has been put up for sale. Picture: Gary Browne

Property agent Will Peppitt says: "The opportunity to own your very own castle with views across the Channel to France doesn't come along very often."

With about 130 acres of woodland and pasture - including a swimming pool - the building itself boasts a great hall, spiral staircases and two towers.

The purchase also includes The Bistro restaurant and holiday cottages, according to Savills.

The estate agents say the property has "evolved over the centuries to incorporate the splendour of its medieval heritage and the elegance of the arts and crafts movement of the early 20th Century".

The description continues: "Lympne Castle stands at the top of the escarpment allowing for wonderful views over the estate lands, Romney Marsh, the English Channel and, on a clear day, the French coast."

The Grade I-listed Lympne Castle dates back to the 13th century
The Grade I-listed Lympne Castle dates back to the 13th century

The property is also described as a thriving wedding venue, which can host corporate entertainment events to.

The castle was Grade I-listed in December 1966. It is understood to date from the 13th century, with mid-14th and 15 century additions.

To the south western boundary of the estate lie the remains of Stutfall Castle, built by the Romans as one of nine forts located along the coast in around 270 CE.

A Saxon abbey once stood on the site of Lympne Castle, converted by Lanfranc (d. 1089), the first Norman Archbishop of Canterbury, into the Archdeacon's residence.

It later became a house and was developed over the centuries. Between 1906 and 1908 the Scottish architect Sir Robert Lorimer was commissioned to restore and extend the property, adding the west wing.

Looking up from the Royal Military Canal towards Lympne Castle. Picture: Bruce Pascoe
Looking up from the Royal Military Canal towards Lympne Castle. Picture: Bruce Pascoe

During the First World War, the castle was used as accommodation for forces based at Lympne and later as a convalescent home for Canadian soldiers.

In 1918 the castle was bought by Henry Beecham, the brother of the conductor Thomas Beecham.

Under his ownership the lookout was added to the East Tower. This played an important role during the Second World War, as it was possible to see the launch of V1 rockets in Calais on a clear day, allowing the coastline guns to be readied to shoot down the rockets over Hythe Bay.

Jagger is reported to have paid a visit some time after the property was purchased in 1962 by Harry and Deidre Margary for £30,000.

According to The Times, one of their sons, Aubyn de Margary, was friends with the Rolling Stones. The band are said to have dropped in after playing a gig nearby.

But Aubyn's father Harry reportedly told them: “F*** off, it’s far too late.”

Savills add: "With the benefit of 21st century improvements, Lympne Castle now houses a thriving wedding venue, function room and corporate entertaining area.

"In 2009 the four cottages dating from 1911, previously used for staff accommodation, were renovated and have since been used as holiday lets and the carriage store and garages have been transformed into The Bistro."

See more of the property here.

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