In 2008 Shirehorse Castle was voted ‘Britain’s Best Home’ in a Channel Five series, however this Grade II folly which looks like a Norman castle started life in the early 19th Century as a farmhouse and barn that were converted into a castle by the Shaw family in about 1860. The original owners never even lived there: they simply wanted to create a romantic castle in their view, something they could see from their own large house, so they built the castle!

The castle boasts battlements, towers with arrow slit windows and arch headed windows. The buildings were bought and partially modernised in 1964, before being sold in 2002 to the current owners who have created a wonderful contemporary interior and converted the stable block into a fantastic indoor swimming pool and gym. The ruins of a mill stand in the twelve-acre grounds and there is also a working water wheel.

Outside the castle sits within a deer park, landscaped gardens and a woodland setting of 12 acres. We have an outdoor hot tub on raised decking patio with outdoor furniture. There is extensive private parking to front and rear of property. There is also a working water wheel, lake, bridge, bbq area with gas bbq and seating, chiminea, cobbled courtyard with outdoor furniture and extensive lawns to front and rear. In addition there is the newly refurbished Watermill Suite in the grounds - perfect for functions and private dining for up to 40 guests.

The castle comprises 3 floors with interior and exterior access to the indoor swimming pool via an interior bridge.

Ground Floor
- Dining Room: Large dining table with glass top seating 10, leather chairs, log fire, stone floor, extensive wood panelling, mood lighting, views to front lawns. Sound system.
- Kitchen: Fully equipped breakfast kitchen with aga, dishwasher, fridge, microwave oven, kettle, toaster, tv.
- Sitting Room: Luxurious suede sofas, log fire, plasma tv, panoramic window with views towards swimming pool. Sound system, Blu-ray DVD player, Satellite television.
- Conservatory: Floor to ceiling glass windows with views of water wheel and rear gardens. Sumptuous velvet sofas and luxury carpet. Contemporary glass door leading to kitchen.
- Utility Room: American style fridge freezer with ice maker, washing machine, tumble dryer, ironing facilities, vacuum and sink.
- Indoor Swimming Pool: Heated pool with removable cover. Private shower and wc facilities. Lounge area with leather sofas, sound system, plasma satellite television.
- Gym: Air conditioned with treadmill, cross trainer, free weights, bench weights. Sound system and windows to plasma television.

First Floor
- Double Bedroom (en suite double): Super king size bed, with dressing room, plasma tv with satellite tv, ensuite shower room. Hairdryer provided.
- Double Bedroom 2: King size bed, built in wardrobes, flat screen lcd tv, views of water wheel and gardens.
- Double Bedroom 3: King size bed, built in wardrobes. Views of rear gardens.
- Double Bedroom 4: Bell tower feature and arrow slit windows with wooden shutters. Plasma TV with leather panelled wall. Door leading to indoor access to swimming pool and massage room. Staircase leading to bedroom 5.
- Double Bedroom 5 (ensuite double): Staircase from bedroom 4 to dressing room with fitted wardrobes, contemporary bathroom with shower, his and hers hand basins, lounger. Bedroom under the eaves with exposed beams and brickwork to walls.
- Family Bathroom 1: Luxury mosaic tiled bathroom with walk in steam room/shower, bath with television over.
- Family Bathroom 2: Round bathroom built into castle turret with slit windows, shower cubicle.

*Please note, locations shown on the maps are approximations only

Local Attractions
- International Airport, Manchester, 45 miles
- Local Airport, Leeds Bradford, 16 miles
- Railway Station, Huddersfield/Halifax, 5 miles/3 miles
- Shopping Centres, Leeds/Manchester/Huddersfield, 20/25/3 miles
- For Children, Eureka museum/Lightwater Valley/Tropical World, 4 miles/45 miles/20 miles
- Golf Courses, Bradley Hall, 0.5 miles
- Tennis Club, Queens, 3 miles
- Racecourse, York/Wetherby, 46 miles/25 miles
- Stately Homes, Harewood House/Ripley Castle/Chatsworth, 28 miles/47 miles
- Pub/Bar, The Rock Inn, 1 mile
- Restaurant, 1885 The Restaurant, 1 mile
- Supermarket, Co-operative Supermarket/Tesco/Ocado, 2 miles/5 miles/online
- Football Stadiums, Leeds Utd/Manchester, 20 miles/25 miles
- Concerts/Arenas, Manchester MEN/Sheffield/Leeds, 25 miles/30 miles/20 miles
- Cricket Grounds, Headingley/Old Trafford, 22 miles/25 miles

The property is hired on a self catering basis, however a local chef can be pre-booked to provide breakfasts, dinners and dinner parties. A selection of sample menus and prices are available on request. A pre-stocked honesty bar is available for alcoholic and soft drinks.

A Beauty Therapist can be pre-booked to provide spa treatments at the Castle.

Outdoor activities including clay pigeon shooting, quad biking & archery can be pre-booked with us. Activities take place 5 minutes drive away. Golf, horseriding and tennis coaching are available locally.

Housekeeping 1 hour per day, Monday to Saturday included. Additional hours charged at £12.

As the Castle is still the main home of the owners they would prefer to offer civil ceremonies for a maximum of 10 guests wherby the ceremony takes place in the beautiful Watermill Suite in the grounds with the wedding breakfast taking place inside the Castle itself.

The additional premium for hosting a ceremony is £750 in addition to our normal tariff. They have fabulous caterers available and menus can be designed to clients exact requirements.

They have hosted a number of ceremonies for groups of this size in 2011 and we feel the Castle is the perfect venue for such an intimate occasion.

- Security deposit: £1500 refundable deposit payable prior to arrival and refunded 48 hours after departure subject to breakages/damages being deducted.
- Linen & towels:  Luxury towels and linen included in the rental price.
- Energy costs: Included in the rental price.
- End of stay cleaning: Included. A housekeeper is also available (if required) inclusive of the rental cost.
- Arrival time: 2pm
- Departure time: By Arrangment
- Pets: By prior arrangement only.
- Smoking: No smoking inside the property.
- Telephone: Mobile telephone reception.
- Internet: Free wi-fi internet access.
- Bank holiday bookings: For bookings over a bank holiday weekend there is an additional 30% to pay on top of the website price.
- Christmas bookings: There is an additional £750 charge on top of the website price.
- It is recommended that all guests take out insurance to cover against potential cancellation and any accidental damage caused during your stay at the property.
- A maximum of 10 guests are permitted during any stay. Guest names are to be provided at the time of booking. Any changes will be advised at least 24 hours prior to arrival.
- On site Security Personnel will check the names of any guests/visitors to the pre-notified guest list.
- Any additional visitors must be pre-notified and agreed by the owners
- No unauthorised guests will be invited to the Castle.
- CCTV Cameras are in use externally, in the Swimming Pool area and Entrance Hall for security/safety reasons.
- Outdoor or Indoor Fireworks must not be used
- No Amplified Sound will be played outdoors
- Any children under 18 will be supervised by an adult at all times when in the swimming pool, hot tub, lake or near the river.
- Smoking is not permitted inside the property.
- Outdoor shoes will be removed inside the property.
- Any breakages/damage/faults will be notified to the owners on departure.