Here lies a castle from storybooks — based in the rugged and romantic land that inspired some of literature's finest, from Wuthering Heights to The Secret Garden. Yorkshire's Castle Trinity is a place to escape from the everyday: be that in the form of discos after dark, or rambles through deer-speckled grounds.
One might not expect an area so renowned for its untouched natural beauty to be home to such glitz and glamour. But, upon realising it’s owned by two luminaries of the entertainment industry, all begins to make sense. Michael; a nightclub designer and Terry; a successful owner of bars and clubs stumbled across Castle Trinity in a local paper and, after journeying towards the castle through its wild deer park, touring the building’s vast rooms, and enjoying a good cup of Yorkshire tea with the former owners, decided “This’ll do nicely.” In just a couple of days, their offer was accepted and they set about turning it into the lavish wonderland you see today.
An early 19th century folly, Castle Trinity proved to be a much different project to the nightclubs Michael was used to designing. “We wanted to keep the character of the building and we retained as many of its original features as possible,” they note. “Despite keeping the traditional elements, we wanted to modernise the interior, using opulent fabrics and textures.” And opulence is a consistent theme throughout — materials including velvets, wools, and furs blend with rich tones from plum to cappuccino; creating a space that encapsulates the luxuriousness of a five-star hotel, whilst retaining a home-from-home allure. “Our main aim for the design was for the castle to feel homely,” they add. This is echoed by the property’s housekeeper Mark, who leaves eggs from their chickens, honey from their bees, and a well-laid fire for each lucky guest staying here.
But, in addition to cosiness, it wouldn’t be right for this home to not have a certain pizazz. Mirrored headboards, leather walls, grand living spaces, and an indoor swimming pool make this the perfect party pad. So it’s little wonder why some of the world’s most glittering names have stayed here, and whose faces now feature in a black-and-white wall of fame. Having both enjoyed careers linked to the club scene, you best bet this unique castle has played host to some epic shindigs in its time. “Our favourite spaces - the kitchen and drawing room with open fire - are fantastic for entertaining, which is something we both love to do!” they enthuse.
Outside, there are twelve acres of stately gardens to enjoy; including a private woodland, manicured grounds, and natural lake. With much opportunity for fun and fraternising in equal measure, the pair note “We love the castle grounds and the different walks within it. Over the years, we’ve enjoyed archery, laser clay pigeon shooting, and hosted many wonderful gatherings with family and friends.” On recalling some of their favourite memories spent here, they conjure joyful images of summertimes past: al fresco barbecues in the suntrap cobbled courtyard, and sunset dips in the outdoor hot tub.
From here, waxed jacket-clad adventurists can head to the nearby Peak District National Park for sublime strolls through the hills and valleys, or culture-lovers to some of west Yorkshire’s ancient villages, before a necessary refuel at one of the region’s iconic tearooms.
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