Actually, Shane's Castle isn't a real castle, but a castellated tollbooth built in 1830, situated awkwardly between two main roads in Devizes, Wiltshire. Around four years ago, Shane's caught fire due to an electrical fault. Water from a burst pipe in the toilet fell on some live wires. The owner at that time, who I've been told was a nurse, used it as a holiday cottage and was seldom there. After the fire, she could no longer rent it to tenants. The local county council waited patiently for her to repair one of the area's favourite local landmarks. No luck.

Finally, in desperation, the council forced the errant owner into placing Shane's Castle on the auction block, elsewise it would be torn down... not an easy thing to do to a Grade II listed building. There are heavy protection laws in place for such places. My parents saw the article 'Bargain Buy?' in the Sunday Times, went to look at Shane's on the Monday, and bought it on the Thursday. I was told on the Friday... whilst I was in Japan. Madness. I had no idea what it looked like, and there were no photos. So, for those who, like me, were desperate to see the castle or just want to see where we stand now, here you go.

*Please note that all photographs and sarcastic commentary are © J.J. Kelley unless otherwise stated. Be nice, don't swipe. Let me keep my copyright. If you'd like to use any images, get in touch. I don't bite.