Location: Aldbury Hertfordshire Map
Aldbury Castle is a medieval castle in a village of Aldbury in Herfordshire. Aldbury Castle or Aldbury Manor was constructed by the invading Normans in the 11th century, although some type of estate stood here at the time of the last Anglo- Saxon king Edward the Confessor. Locals claim that Aldbury Castle is haunted by a medieval alchemist who once lived and worked in the dark chambers of the stronghold. Something went wrong and he was killed by a blast he himself was responsible for. Legends claim that the spirit of the old alchemist still roams grounds of Aldbury Castle. There is no physical evidence or record of this ghost, but local population entertain the idea and commonly come to the grounds of the abandoned fortress to see the spirit.
Acton Castle is a compact, three-story castellated mansion, its
design a fusion of Georgian elegance and romantic Gothic revivalism.
Constructed primarily from local granite—a rugged, grey stone quarried
from Cornwall’s cliffs—its facade and chimneys feature finely dressed
granite blocks, lending a polished contrast to the rougher walls. The
original structure, built in 1775, was a rectangular tower approximately
40 by 30 feet (12 by 9 meters), with a grouted slate roof and embattled
parapets crowning the walls, evoking a medieval fortress scaled for a
gentleman’s retreat rather than defense.
Central Tower: The core
of the castle, likely designed by John Wood the Younger, features tall,
narrow windows typical of Georgian architecture, with some sources
suggesting sash designs, though modifications have altered their
original form. The interior originally housed Stackhouse’s living
quarters, study, and possibly a small laboratory for his seaweed
research, though these spaces have been reconfigured into modern
apartments.
Wings: In the early 20th century, during its hotel
conversion, two-story wings were added to the north and south, each with
tripartite windows—three panes grouped under a single lintel—doubling
the building’s footprint to about 60 by 40 feet (18 by 12 meters). These
wings, also granite-faced, blend seamlessly with the original tower,
their flat roofs hidden behind parapets.
Details: The castle’s
battlements, though decorative, echo Cornwall’s coastal forts, while its
chimneys—tall and cylindrical—add verticality. Stackhouse’s botanical
pursuits are subtly commemorated in the cove below, where remnants of
stone tanks for holding seaweed specimens are still visible, though not
part of the main structure.
The castle lacks extensive
fortifications—no moat, gatehouse, or thick defensive walls—reflecting
its purpose as a scholarly residence rather than a military outpost. Its
cliffside perch, however, offers natural seclusion, with steep drops to
Stackhouse Cove reinforcing its isolated charm.
As of 2025, Acton Castle is a privately owned residential complex,
comprising seven exclusive apartments, four of which are available as
holiday lets through agencies like Forever Cornwall and Beach Retreats.
It is not open to the general public as a historic site, limiting access
to renters or residents, though its exterior can be admired from the
South West Coast Path, a short walk from the castle’s garden stile.
Located at Rosudgeon, Penzance, TR20 9AF, it’s a 15-minute drive from
Penzance via the A394, with a narrow, unmade lane leading to a private
car park for tenants.
The castle’s exterior remains largely
intact, its granite walls weathered to a soft patina, with the
20th-century wings blending into the original tower. The roof and
parapets are maintained, and modern windows replace some originals,
though the castellated silhouette endures. The sunken formal
gardens—shared by residents but with private sections for each
apartment—feature subtropical plantings (palms, agaves) and an
ornamental fish pond, a nod to Stackhouse’s botanical legacy. The
garden’s cliff-edge seats offer breathtaking views of Mount’s Bay, St.
Michael’s Mount, and the Lizard Peninsula, especially at sunset.
Holiday lets like “The Tower” (sleeping 8) or “North Wing” (sleeping 4)
range from £1,000–£2,000 per week, offering open-plan living spaces,
modern kitchens, and sea-view terraces, blending historical ambiance
with luxury. Visitors praise the “mesmerizing” vistas and peaceful
isolation, though the unfenced pond and steep lane pose minor caveats.
The castle’s private status means no formal tours or facilities
exist—exploration is limited to renters or coastal path walkers peering
from afar.