Enchanted castles and towers worthy of Rapunzel are usually the stuff of childhood daydreams, but these incredible properties are far closer to reality than you might think. Plucked from the pages of our favorite fairytales and children's storybooks, we've rounded up the most enchanting real-life homes that people actually live in. Click or scroll on and let's journey to a kingdom not too far, far away...

Located in the charming coastal town of Carmel-on-sea in California, this cottage last sold in December 2020 for just shy of $1.9 million (£1.4m). The fifth cottage built by legendary architect Hugh Comstock, the magical home is like something from a bygone era. 

Built in 1929, the cottage is one of 21 homes built by Comstock that still stand. Comstock started the village by building a store for his doll-maker wife, who he met upon his arrival in Carmel in 1924, to display her dolls. The quaint home sits surrounded by a traditional grape stake fence and beautiful rose gardens for an idyllic setting. 

Inside, the cottage is spread over 1,229 square feet and boasts unusually high ceilings for a cottage. The cozy living area features an original Carmel stone fireplace, picture pane windows and alcoves for an authentic experience. 

The two bedrooms are the perfect fairytale setting and sit alongside two bathrooms. With pitched roofs, whitewashed walls and windows that open out to the picturesque gardens, what more could you need? 

Tucked away in the upmarket Berkshires region of Massachusetts, this spellbinding country retreat looks as though it was conjured up by the Brothers Grimm themselves. From thatched roofs to turrets and gingerbread houses, the Santarella estate is a bona fide whimsical wonderland dating all the way back to the 1750s.

The property sold for just over $1.1 million (£826k) in October 2020 and encompasses an array of enchanting buildings, including a four-bedroom main home, a country cottage and numerous silos and event spaces. With its grand vaulted ceiling and arched windows, this regal banqueting hall is one of the estate's crown jewels. Imagine the dinner parties you could have here!

Santarella offers a total of seven bedrooms and six bathrooms, not to mention four acres of landscaped gardens, complete with idyllic bridges and brooks. Our favorite spot, however, has to be this charming turreted silo nestled in the wooded grounds.

The cozy fairytale cabin houses an intimate living area downstairs with a wood-burning fire, while a spiral staircase leads up to the spectacular bedroom. Rustic wood cladding and a towering vaulted ceiling frame the impressive space, which features a romantic canopy bed and a wide picture window that's perfect for soaking up the rural surroundings.

Encircled by a dense forest, this magnificent mansion is Cinderella's castle, à la Disneyland, to a T. Offering 10,000 square feet of accommodation, the dramatic façade features impressive Gothic windows, mock-Tudor detailing and no end of turrets.

Inside, the home's impressive interior does nothing to dispel the magic – just look at this exquisite sitting room. From the regal wood paneling to the marble hearth and sumptuous velvet sofas, it's the ideal spot for a prince or princess to put their feet up after a long day exploring the manicured grounds.

Available to rent, the extravagant home doesn't offer style over substance either. The state-of-the-art kitchen is home to an array of luxury appliances and a grand double range cooker, providing everything you need to cook up a storm, while characterful details like the coffered ceiling and carved cooker hood keep the whimsical charm alive. 

With seven luxurious suites situated across the home's numerous levels, there's plenty of choices when it comes to finding a plush spot to lay your head. Personally, we'd opt for this opulent room with a four-poster bed complete with carved wooden posts – surely an essential when you live in a fairytale castle.

While it may be somewhat on the smaller side, this woodland retreat, currently offered as a holiday let, is no less enchanting. Known as Robin Hood's Hideout, this remarkable home in Dripping Springs, just west of Austin, offers a fantastical break from everyday life. 

The rustic, wood-clad interior is brimming with character, from the bright pops of blue across the weathered woodwork to the beautiful stained glass windows. Crafted from reclaimed wood and fixtures from around 30 different structures, it has to be the ultimate upcycled tiny home. 

Swathes of bespoke windows bathe the quirky living spaces in light, allowing every thoughtful detail across the handcrafted fixtures to shine. One of our favorite talking points has to be the curved staircase, with its floating treads and exquisite balustrade made from intertwined tree branches.

The snug property offers one compact double bedroom in the loft above the living area, with just enough space for two. Downstairs, however, even the bathroom has been given the fairytale treatment. Clad in stones and shiplap, we love the combination of antique mirrors, Victorian-style light fixtures and decorative stained glass, not to mention the copper sink.

Zillow aficionados will love this listing: Santa’s house hit the site! While we don’t know why the jolly old elf would want to sell, we sure were excited to take a peek around his North Pole property, which comes complete with elf housing, reindeer stables, a garage capable of storing Santa’s sleigh and, of course, a state-of-the-art toy workshop, all nestled in 25 private acres of winter wonderland...

The folks at Zillow have given curious kids (and kids at heart) the chance to tour Santa's exclusive North Pole retreat, which, though currently off the market, has been given a Zestimate value of $1,154,137 (£936.4k), and is comprised of Santa's main living quarters, as well as an assortment of adorable outbuildings. 

Santa’s 2,500-square-foot home is just as cosy as you might imagine. Originally built in the 1800s, the property was recently renovated to include plenty of modern-day amenities, according to the Zillow listing. One of its fanciest new features is the gourmet kitchen, which boasts an oven with 12 different cookie settings. The peninsula, which separates the kitchen and dining areas, makes it easy to serve these freshly baked treats to guests and comes equipped with a hot cocoa tap.

While working from home was a relatively new concept for most of us just a few years ago, Santa does it 364 days a year, so he needs a pretty plush office space. With a fabulous ¾ circular window and a comfy leather armchair, we can just imagine Mr Claus at this desk mapping out his route, calling his suppliers, and apparently, even Facetiming with his elves! Santa’s study also includes a sewing table—the same one he used to make the very first teddy bear, according to the listing.

Santa’s cabin is a two-bed, three-bath, begging the question: who gets invited to spend the night in the guest room? The spare room in question boasts a quaint wood-burning stove, snuggly soft furnishings and plenty of Christmas decorations. We’d just love to have a sleepover in this space!

If Rapunzel had found herself in this spectacular tower in North Wales, she might not have been in such a hurry to leave. Soaring over rolling fields in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park, the views from this captivating escape are second to none.

With living spaces staggered across the tower's many levels, the kitchen is situated towards the top of the property. Soft blue walls frame an airy dining area that's ideal for families, but it's the windows that steal the show. Set into deep arched bays, the Gothic wooden frames are nothing short of breathtaking, transporting guests into their own medieval fairytale.

Available to rent out, the tower offers two plush bedrooms fit for royalty, one decked out in pastel blue and the other in blush pink. The master features a hearth and this gorgeous window seat – the ideal spot to get lost in a good book or admire the breathtaking rural vistas.

As far as bathrooms go, this magnificent space takes some beating. Situated on the fifth floor away from prying eyes, it's home to a beautiful cast iron roll-top bath and antique-style fixtures. After a long day exploring the hills, we can just imagine taking a long, indulgent soak and admiring the stunning outlook across the treetops.

Built in 1850, this chocolate-box cottage in the south-west of England looks as though it was transplanted from the pages of our favorite fantastical childhood tales. With a quaint thatched roof, lattice windows and a picturesque porch, it's hard not to think of Hansel and Gretel ambling through the forest and stumbling upon this charming home in a clearing in the trees.

Last sold in 2021 for $544,700 (£400k), the Grade II-listed property was built as a summer house in the mid-19th century for Lord Barrington of Beckett Park, who wanted to recreate the cottage he'd honeymooned at in Switzerland. From the blackened brick hearth and original metal door fixtures to the galleried landing, the quaint home wears its history on its sleeve.

Encompassing 1,000 square feet, the ground floor houses a traditional kitchen, complete with exposed brickwork and angular windows, as well as a reception room, study and two bedrooms, while a further two bedrooms and a bathroom are located upstairs.

Accessed through a private driveway, the characterful house is flanked by an outbuilding, offering two separate storage rooms. The plot, which stretches a third of an acre, is sheltered by a thick forest of trees, seemingly out of reach of the rest of civilization. If you're searching for a home in a world of its own, this magical retreat could be it.

Lurking in the woods in Hays County, Texas, this unusual Gothic-style tiny home would give us the heebie-jeebies if we stumbled upon it on dark night. With its eerie weathered door, lattice windows and red and black detailing, it's a dwelling worthy of a fairytale villain.

Impeccably crafted, the Victoriana theme extends inside – black damask motifs adorn the shiplap walls, while period portraits, old-fashioned sconce candle holders and a black antique-style piano add a historic feel to the living areas.

Opposite the front door, red swagged curtains make a theatrical statement and Louis XV-style sofas evoke a certain air of faded opulence. The period-inspired home is a treasure trove of the past, with curated antiques and hidden foxes scattered around for guests to find. Available to rent, the property even includes a snug bathroom on the ground floor, complete with a traditional claw-foot tub.

Upstairs tucked away in the eaves is a pocket-sized, but no less imposing, double bedroom. Decked out in the home's signature red and black, a stained glass window draws light into the low space, while touches like the antique bedside table and miniature Persian-style rug carry the Gothic aesthetic through.

Built in 1917 on seven acres of land, this magnificent castle was inspired by a trip that its prosperous original owners, the Ellington family, took to England. Complete with a turret and regal interior décor, it's the perfect place to live out your own royal fantasy.

In early 2000, a local artist bought the castle and spent five years refurbishing it to the standard you see today. The cosy living room has stone walls, classic furniture and an imposing fireplace, while the inside porch is guarded by a medieval knight to finish off the regal vibe.

Upstairs, each of the three bedrooms has its own historic theme, including this Romeo and Juliet room with a red color scheme, faux canopy and a romantic balcony – naturally!

The sensitively restored kitchen has been modernized to include everything you need to cook up a feast. Large picture windows overlook the castle's immaculate grounds, which house a fountain, gazebo, pond and pergola.

With its decorative wooden cladding and peaked roofs, this whimsical cabin, designed by Hendricks Architecture, channels a hobbit house straight out of The Lord of the Rings, with a dash of Swiss chalet style. 

The homey yet refined fairytale cottage has an open-plan interior with a wow-factor vaulted ceiling complete with oak beams and a rustic chandelier. Stone floors and shiplap walls add to the earthy feel of this unique property.

The stylish sage-colored kitchen offers every modern amenity and overlooks the idyllic, sprawling grounds outside. Created from vast stones and lined with white metro tiles, the large hearth creates a spectacular focal point, perfect for the cold winter evenings.

The characterful exterior is clad in wavy brickwork, creating a remarkable optical illusion. Surrounded by lush green woodland, the cozy 835-square-foot log cabin is located in the unspoiled nature of Harbor Springs, perched on the north shore of Lake Michigan. 

This enchanting tower looks like something straight out of Sleeping Beauty. The Grade I-listed folly is said to be the tallest of its kind in the world and has been lovingly restored into a lovely home, so you can live out a modern day fairytale. 

With impressive high ceilings and panoramic views of Hadlow village, the interior is adorned with Gothic-style windows and honey-colored wood accents, complemented by ornate details such as arched brick fireplaces and chandeliers.

All eight floors are linked by a fully-serviced elevator and these beautiful turret staircases, with the seventh and eighth floors providing the finest 360-degree views of the Kent countryside. 

Outside, the tower has its very own private garden and woodland spanning over three acres, as well as a croquet lawn and ornamental boating lake. Everything an aspiring prince or princess could need! Despite its beauty, the tower proved rather unsellable. It was first listed in 2016 for $2.7 million (£2m), but failed to find an interested party. It was then put up for sale again in 2018 with a bumped-up asking price of $4.7 million (£3.5m). Needless to say, no buyer could be found.

The Mushroom House, or Pod House, is a unique home which takes inspiration from the flowers of a Queen Anne’s Lace plant. It was constructed between 1969 and 1972 for attorney-artist couple Robert and Marguerite Antell and was designated a town landmark in 1989.

The house is made up of four 80-ton pods, which sit on reinforced concrete pillars of between 14 and 20 feet in height. The clever design means that the view will never be restricted as each pod features panoramic windows.

Amongst the world's most famous houses, each pod in the property serves a different function. One is the kitchen and family room, another acts as the living and dining area, and two are sleeping areas. There’s also a half-pod with an open deck for the warmer months. 

This pod was the main entrance to the original home. The beautiful kitchen opens out into the family room, complete with a spectacular tree-like plaster centerpiece and a gas fireplace, demonstrating how each zone flows seamlessly into one another.

Located in Akebono Kodomo-no-mori Park in Japan, this woodland home was inspired by the iconic Finnish Moomins series by Tove Jansson. Designed with a distinctive living roof and a curvaceous structure, the dwelling features solar panels to help the property run off the grid.

Inside, the three-story home is modest but cleverly constructed, with elaborate wooden staircases, exposed brickwork and a compact kitchen with its own period-style cooker.

An architectural masterpiece, the detail put into the construction of this unusual house is clear – just look at all these intricate wooden beams that help support the spiral staircase.

Nestled in the park's sprawling grounds, the property is flanked by idyllic rural vistas. A picturesque stream runs down the valley behind the quirky home, while a handcrafted bridge connects the two sides of the steep verge.

Alternatively, this little cabin is the definition of cute and cozy. Despite its swashbuckling name, the most famous pirate of the Caribbean has never actually stayed in the Jack Sparrow House sadly...

Situated just off Falmouth Bay in Cornwall, England, it's been designed as a characterful hideaway that can accommodate two. It's just a 10-minute walk from the local beaches, while the house itself is surrounded by the rolling Cornish countryside.

With modern facilities and comfortable built-in furniture, the snug setup offers the perfect base to come home to after a long day exploring the Lizard Peninsula. Light wood cladding makes the space feel larger than its petite dimensions, while multifunctional fixtures ensure every inch of space is put to good use.

Just look at it – could it be any more comfortable and inviting? Jack Sparrow House comprises one beautifully designed space with a mezzanine double bed and combined living and kitchen area, the ideal safe harbor for tired seafarers,

For nature-lovers looking to escape the hustle and bustle, it doesn't get much more magical than this unique cob cottage, hidden inside a dense forest in Canada. Available to rent, this charming home has no end of curb appeal with its curved walls and quirky windows. 

Located on British Columbia's Mayne Island, the popular retreat is hand-sculpted from cob, which comprises soil, organic materials, water and sometimes lime. As well as the main home, the extensive rural site features surrounding woodlands, sheep, gardens and orchards.

The romantic retreat features a small kitchen and living area, complete with intricately crafted centerpieces, from the breathtaking hearth to the stunning staircase shaped out of branches and tree trunks.

The cosy little cottage comfortably sleeps two and is in easy reach of local amenities and attractions. It’s just a 10-minute walk to the beach and a 20-minute walk to a family-run grocery and deli, as well as galleries, a bookstore and a spa. What more could you want?

This has to qualify as one of the world's weirdest properties! The Boot bed and breakfast in Tasman, New Zealand, is now a hugely popular fairytale escape for those coming from far and wide. 

And you can see why. A two-story cottage in the shape of a giant boot, the fantastical retreat is located centrally between the Abel Tasman National Park, Kahurangi National Park and the town of Nelson.

Available to rent out via Airbnb, The Boot is nestled amongst hazelnut trees, offering visitors plenty of privacy. Sheltered beneath the canopy is this picturesque courtyard, featuring an alfresco dining area and a large outdoor fireplace – perfect for toasting marshmallows in the colder months.

The bright and airy interior is wonderfully characterful, with a curved barrel ceiling and an impressive open hearth taking center stage. The snug hideaway offers a queen-sized bedroom and one bathroom, a stone's throw away from the area's rugged coastline.

Living in a gingerbread house is the stuff of childhood dreams, but this spellbinding property could make those fantasies come true. While this house in California is not exactly made from gingerbread (which is the dream, let’s face it), it definitely looks the part, and what's more, it's available to rent out for holidays.

Located in Geyserville, California, the house sleeps up to three people, with a cozy double bed downstairs and an extra loft room situated in the roof. The property is adorned with decorative stained glass windows that cleverly feature LED lights for illumination after dark.

Made from cob, an eco-friendly building material, this unique holiday home was sculpted by Miguel Elliott of Living Earth Structures. While snug, the sleeping space in the eaves, complete with reed-lined walls and a glazed gable window, is one of our favorite aspects of the home. Imagine waking up each morning to the sun rising across the treetops!

Outside, there's a somewhat au naturel approach to creature comforts. Encircled by bamboo privacy screening, the outdoor shower offers visitors the chance to step out of their comfort zone. Would you be brave enough to bathe beneath the trees?

By the looks of this, Snow White and the seven dwarfs have finally upped sticks and moved to greener pastures. Previously on the market back in 2017, this enchanting home is every bit the storybook dwelling we imagined from our childhoods.

Inside, the intricately designed interior doesn't disappoint either. Built in 1982, the fantastical cottage was constructed with meticulous attention to detail, from the stalactite-style cooker hood to the vast stone pizza oven.

Each door was expertly crafted using extensive ironwork, while the rugged wooden beams were hand-carved for a rustic, homemade aesthetic. Stained glass windows and curved walls give the magical home a cave-like feel, as though the quirky property was built into a mountainside.

Outside, the four-bed property is nestled amongst picturesque woodlands, alongside its very own magical creek. We can just imagine the Seven Dwarfs skipping up the driveway! 

Designed by architect Sebastian Piton, this whimsical house sits at the foot of the Tatra Mountain in the village of Bukowina Tatrzańska. Inspired by the work of Gaudi, Piton created a number of houses with the signature soft curved roofs, balconies and turrets. 

Reminiscent of hobbit houses, the designs are custom designed and hand made from wood by Sebastian himself who grew up learning the skills of woodwork with his grandfather and uncle, who were both carpenters. 

The smooth shapes of the homes make them difficult to build and design, with Piton recognizing the challenges himself. The Zakopianski or Zakopane style of architecture, which is from the 19th century, can also be seen in furniture and is inspired by the regional art of Poland's highland. 

Fans of the classic children's series Winnie-the-Pooh will fall instantly in love with this gorgeous little property in East Sussex, England. Located in Ashdown Forest in Nutley, which was the inspiration for A. A. Milne's Hundred Acre Wood, the miniature Airbnb rental was created in celebration of Pooh's 95th anniversary. 

The 'Bearbnb' is an authentic replica of Pooh's tree-hollow cottage and the designer, Kim Raymond, hasn't left a single detail out – fittingly, Kim has been a Walt Disney illustrator for more than 30 years. Taking inspiration from the original illustrations of E. H. Shepard, the tiny property can be found inside a real tree trunk and boasts a bright red door and a sign that reads 'Mr Sanders', a reference to the original Winnie-the-Pooh tales.

Step inside and things become even more whimsical. The magical tiny home boasts a cozy interior with bespoke blue-and-white striped wallpaper adorned with yellow acorns and pine cones, as well as a rustic wood ceiling, off-kilter windows, floral furnishings and hand-painted artworks. The kitchen comes equipped with a shelving unit filled with giant jars of honey to satisfy any rumbly in your tumbly. 

There's a double bed and two single loft beds too, while outside you'll find a magical picnic area where guests were served up locally-sourced meals inspired by Pooh's favorite honey. The rental was sadly only available for a short time, offering fans the chance to play Poohsticks on the iconic Poohsticks Bridge and search for Eeyore, Tigger and Piglet in the Hundred Acre Wood.

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