THE ruins of a castle have a new owner after the land it sits on was sold for nearly £3 million.

Gleaston Castle changed hands following an auction.

Sitting today as a monument, the castle was built in the 14th Century.

It is set among more than 200 acres of farmland, which sold at auction for more than £2.3 million.

According to Historic England, the fortification was built to face down a specific threat, the border wars and Scottish raids of the 13th and 14th centuries.

The body said the castle 'survives reasonably well and still retains significant remains of upstanding medieval fabric'.

The Grade I listed castle was once owned by the 1st Duke of Suffolk, the father of Lady Jane Grey.

Describing the land in a listing, H&H Land and Estates said: "A rare opportunity to purchase the majority of a superb stock rearing and arable farm situated near Gleaston in Cumbria.

"Including a substantial four bedroomed farmhouse and attached annex in need of development, the historic remains of Gleaston Castle a Grade I listed monument, a most impressive range of traditional and modern farm buildings, Grade III, arable, meadow and pasture land, picturesque tarn and a separate field located at Leece.."

Before the auction Colin Tomlinson, managing director of H&H Land & Estates, said: “It is some time since such a tremendous farm has come onto the market in this part of Cumbria.  It is rare enough for such good agricultural land to come up for sale but combining that with the chance to own a piece of English history and your own personal tarn is even rarer.

“I am sure that with the appetite for rural properties with land seemingly unabated and farmers wishing to extend their acreages, there will be fierce competition.”