Richard and his wife, Mindy, bought the property back in 2008, and it’s been their sanctuary ever since. Imagine the conversation: “Fancy moving somewhere with a bit of history, no neighbors for miles, and a moat?” He’s essentially living the dream of every middle-aged dad who watches too many historical dramas on Sunday afternoons. The castle dates back to the 12th century, which means it’s older than your great-great-grandpa’s favourite chair—and probably has better views.
Now, you might think living in a castle is all suits of armour and fancy banquets, but from what I’ve gathered, it’s more like a massive renovation project with a leaky roof. Hammond himself has joked about the £1.2 million price tag and the fact that it’s “a money pit” with a medieval sense of plumbing. It’s the kind of house where you’d need a map to find the loo, and the heating bill probably rivals the GDP of a small nation.
Life in the Castle: The Hamster’s Daily Grind
You’ve seen him accidentally flip a rally car on TV, but at home, Richard Hammond probably burns toast like the rest of us. Picture him in the giant kitchen, trying to find a plate while Mindy is off photographing the gardens or wrangling their dogs. The castle sits on 60 acres of land, which includes an apple orchard, a lake, and endless green fields. It’s the perfect spot for a man who once said he loves “peace and quiet” and also “making very loud noises with cars.”
Richard Hammond takes us for a walk around his amazing property
His neighbours are mostly sheep, cows, and the occasional confused tourist who took a wrong turn looking for a pub. You have to admire that—choosing a home where the loudest sound is the wind or the baa-ing of livestock, not the roar of a V8 engine. It’s a full-circle moment for a guy who’s spent decades ear-splittingly racing through deserts.
