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 favourite 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...

It may look too perfect to be real but this remarkable structure has been created by DreamWorks in partnership with Airbnb. Shrek’s iconic home has been recreated to an incredibly high standard inside and out, complete with ‘earwax’ candles, a cosy fireplace and Shrek’s comfy green recliner. 

For all the painstaking attention to detail, Shrek’s home is as rustic and rudimentary as you may remember from the films. The house has only one room, which includes the bed, lounge chair, and dining table in front of the fireplace, rendering it suitable for up to three guests, according to the listing.

More rustic still, the home doesn’t include bathroom facilities – although you will have access to Shrek’s swamp-chic outhouse. However, before you start to panic, you’ll be relieved to learn that slightly more modern facilities will be available off-site, approximately 20 metres from the house.

If the home’s rough-and-ready appearance and the 'BEWARE' signs out front haven’t scared you away, you might be wondering how to book this Shrek-tastic experience. 

Donkey is very excited about welcoming his potential guests: “You know what I like about it? Everything. The overgrown landscaping, the modest interiors, the nice boulders, all of it. I can’t wait for guests to experience this muddy slice of paradise for themselves."

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 kerb 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 centrepieces, 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-storey 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 centre stage. The snug hideaway offers a queen-sized bedroom and one bathroom, a stone's throw away from the area's rugged coastline.

Encircled by a dense forest, this magnificent mansion is Cinderella's castle, à la Disneyland, to a T. Offering 10,000 square feet (929sqm) 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 panelling 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 on the smaller side, the woodland retreat, which was once offered as a holiday let and now a filming location, 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 favourite 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. 

On the same site as Robin Hood's Hideaway, 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.

Available as a filming location and 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.

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 colour scheme, faux canopy and a romantic balcony, naturally!

The sensitively restored kitchen has been modernised 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. Fancy playing royalty for a weekend? You can rent the castle here.

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