When I go to relax in a castle
property, I love to hide myself away and have the entire property
to myself, family included of course. This is what I call properly
chilling out, with no media to distract and, in a way, cutting myself
and family off from the world, to concentrate on them. Because of
its size and layout, Walton is exceptional as an exclusive let.
The castle was opened as a letting property
earlier this year. When I saw it, I knew that this would be an interesting
property to stay in and I was not disappointed. It is an unusual
shaped castle, with its main keep central to the property, surrounded
by 7 outlying turrets and a linking wall between each tower. This
offers total privacy within the property and amazing 360 degree
views over wooded North Somerset countryside on one side and across
the Bristol Channel to Wales on the other.
The owner acquired the property in 1984,
being in a partly restored, partly ruined condition. Over the last
20 years, the property has been restored fully to its former glory,
building upon the old foundations.
Sleeping in the main keep, the lower floor
offered us 2 rooms beside each other and, with 2 young children,
this was an ideal family area. It also gave us easy access to underground
swimming pool, a must for a family gathering with children. The
favourite room was at the top of the keep, with a balcony for early
evening champagne, nibbles and great views.
The teenagers in the party had the self-contained
tower apartment combined with home cinema room with plasma screen,
table football and, below the room in the main turret, a pool table.
This was where we lost the teens, sleeping by day and partying by
night and out of the way! In fact, this is a ‘party castle’,
with no neighbours to disturb.
Walton Castle offers a fantastic backdrop
for a themed party weekend - we are currently just theming an ‘Alice
in Wonderland’ event at the castle for a Russian group. It
is great for families or those wanting to be with friends. As a
wedding venue, it would be perfect with guests drinking champagne
within the inner castle walls………but don’t
just stay for a day or the weekend, stay for a week!
This is just the perfect hide away,
and I look forward to my next stay there.
Roger Masterson
Director, Celtic Castles
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