Palatial residences, elegant country estates, and crumbling castles are a dime a dozen in the United Kingdom and Ireland, but did you know that some of them accept guests? It was one such fortified 16th-century castle in the rolling farmland and emerald lawns of East Lothian, just east of Edinburgh, Scotland, that sparked an idea for Storied Collection founder Michael Goldin.
While scouting the selection of British castles for rent for a romantic getaway with his wife, he stumbled across Fenton Tower on Scotland’s east coast. Digging a bit more into its history, he discovered his own family ties to the property by way of a great-grandfather 13 generations back. The stay inspired a renewed sense of intrigue into his family lineage and a desire to make it easier for others to locate the castles and estates their own ancestors may have once inhabited—or to simply live out their “Downton Abbey” or “Bridgerton” fantasies.
Goldin teamed up with Justin Hauge, who started his career in travel as Airbnb’s 13th hire, to incorporate Storied Collection in 2022 and have gradually added to their growing collection of historic castles and estates for rent across the United Kingdom, Ireland, and France. Each of their vetted top-tier properties comes with a story, all of which are told on the pages of If Walls Could Talk, a blog created by their on-staff writer, researcher, and historian Claire Potter.
Some of the standout properties in the Storied Collection include:
House of the Northern Gate in Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Also known as Dwarwick House, House of the Northern Gate is a 9-bedroom clifftop Scottish estate overlooking the sweeping sand and sea of Dunnet Bay, Pentland Firth, and the Orkney Islands. Originally constructed in 1894, one of its more prominent residents was Admiral Sir Edwyn Alexander-Sinclair, who fired the first shots in the Battle of Jutland in World War I, while one of its most famous guests is none other than Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, in 1953.
Carlton Towers in Yorkshire, England
Certainly one of the most extravagant properties in the collection, Carlton Towers is a 17th-century, 16-bedroom Victorian Gothic-style country house set on 250 acres in the rural Yorkshire countryside. Boasting nearly 800 years of history, this is a property rich with stories to tell, including visits from the Kings of Jerusalem crusaders and knights of Bannockburn. Today, it’s the family home of Lord and Lady Gerald Fitzalan Howard, one of the oldest aristocratic families in Britain, with a lineage that can be traced back to King Edward I.
Knowsley Hall in Liverpool, England
In the northwest of England, the 17-bedroom Knowsley Hall, belonging to the Earls of Derby for more than 600 years, has played host to royalty and distinguished guests since it first opened its doors in 1385. Set among 2,500 acres of private walled estate, its interiors and grounds reflect the stately nature of the home and its important inhabitants. Original paintings and antiques still adorn the exquisite rooms and halls, while its manicured gardens, ponds, and terrace overlooking it all paint a picture of what aristocratic life was like. Today, the property also hosts an award-winning spa, guest activities like clay pigeon shooting, bicycle tours, and an up-close safari experience.
Wolterton Hall in Norwich, England
Built in 1741 by Horatio Walpole—the brother of Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole—Wolterton Hall is a 12-bedroom, 500-acre estate in North Norfolk. Walled gardens, woodland, a picturesque 10-acre lake, and a 150-acre park crafted by Charles Bridgeman in the 18th century set the stage outside, while the interiors boast period furniture, white marble and colored agate fireplaces, mahogany doors (a gift from Queen Caroline), and family portraits. As a guest, you have access to canoeing, cycling, archery, horseback riding, golf, sailing adventures, and private pampering treatments.
How to Book a Storied Collection Property
Booking a stay at one of the Storied Collection’s 18 exclusive-use properties starts with an inquiry. You can visit the website to search by property, location, and even surname. From there, the team at Storied Collection will put you in touch with the house manager of your chosen estate or castle to coordinate the details of your stay, from locking in the dates to tee times, whiskey tastings, transport, and your bespoke menu of chef-prepared meals.
Rates range from $2,000 to $15,000 per night. Each property listing offers information about it, including its history, associated family names, some of the movies and TV shows it has appeared in, as well as occasions it’s suited for, be it a wedding, corporate retreat, couples getaway, or multi-generational family vacation.
