Comedian Alan Carr has purchased Ayton Castle in the Scottish Borders for £3.25 million, planning to transform it into a luxury hotel and spa. Viewers can watch the renovation unfold in a new Disney+ series.
Ayton Castle: A Baronial Gem
The impressive Scottish baronial mansion features 17 bedrooms, 160 acres of land, and its own private railway. Located near Eyemouth, the castle stands as a prominent landmark, visible from trains heading to Edinburgh after Berwick-upon-Tweed station.
From Traitors Victory to Castle Ownership
Carr recently triumphed in Celebrity Traitors, filmed at Ardross Castle, by navigating the murder mystery game to win £87,500 for Neuroblastoma UK. Now, at 49, he invests his own funds in this ambitious project, with potential for substantial returns.
Reflecting on his midlife milestone, Carr shares: “Some men buy a Lamborghini or grow a ponytail during a midlife crisis, but I want my own castle. Since childhood in Northampton, I’ve dreamed big, enchanted by the history and romance of stately homes. As I turn 50, it’s time. All I want is a turret to call my own—get me over that drawbridge.”
Disney+ Deal and Production Details
Carr secures a seven-figure agreement with Disney+ for the show, tentatively titled Castle Man. The production team behind Amazon Prime’s Clarkson’s Farm joins the effort to document the transformation.
Sources close to the project note: “It’s a shrewd move by Disney, launching the show with minimal risk.”
Past Renovation Success and Future Plans
Carr teams up frequently with Amanda Holden for DIY challenges. Their BBC renovation series spanned four seasons and a Christmas special, proving a hit with audiences.
The duo recently dismissed rumors of hosting Strictly Come Dancing on the Table Manners podcast, with Carr stating: “No, we said no ages ago.”
His schedule remains packed: a major stand-up tour through most of 2027, plus a new Channel 4 series Secret Genius alongside Susie Dent. Fresh off Celebrity Traitors, Carr admits exhaustion led to on-set naps during production.
Celebrity Traitors streams on BBC iPlayer.
