Fancy yourself a bit of a Grand Designer? If you can see the potential in these derelict and dilapidated properties, then you could bag yourself a bargain – and a unique renovation opportunity to boot. From ancient castles to crumbling farmhouses, these historic properties come with room to expand and plenty of stories to tell. Click or scroll to explore the coolest ruins on the market right now...

If you don't mind taking on an ultimate fixer-upper, then this historic country estate could be yours for a mere €75,635, which equates to £65,156 ($81k). However, with missing walls, a half-collapsed roof and an interior that has lost the fight with Mother Nature, this property needs a serious amount of work.

Nestled on a scenic 12-acre plot in Osiek, Poland, the dilapidated dream home was constructed in 1606 and comes complete with a majestic park, close to forests and lakes. Making the task of renovating the place a little easier, it’s already connected to all utilities, including gas, water, electricity and telecommunications. 

There is also a range of agricultural outbuildings, which could easily be converted into additional accommodation and leased out as holiday homes. To help with the renovation works, the listing agent suggests that there's a chance the buyer will be eligible for EU funding. So, if you've got the budget and the imagination, this ancient estate is just waiting to be given a new lease of life.

Proving that you don't always need a large budget in order to obtain a large property, this former medieval fortress in the Italian commune of Pietralunga, Umbria, is priced at just £103,370 ($128k), or €120,000 in the local currency. Built in 1700, the abandoned castle is grand, affordable and ready to start a fresh chapter.

Nestled on almost two and a half acres in the heart of the Umbrian Hills, the ruined stone fortress benefits from stunning panoramic views for miles. The structure itself measures 6,458 square feet across three floors, all of which will need to be thoroughly renovated and restored, in order to render them liveable. 

From new floors and windows to a new roof and interior kit-out, the task of repairing this extreme fixer-upper won't be easy or cheap. However, the listing agent suggests that, thanks to current funding opportunities, there's a good chance the buyer will be able to apply for, and gain, substantial subsidies towards the restoration costs.

Ever wanted to buy an abandoned manor and turn it into a dream home? Well, now's your chance, because this historic stately home in Zemgale, Latvia, is for sale with Manfred Achtenhagen Immobilien for just €300,000. That's a mere £258,400 ($320k).

Dating back to 1780, the abandoned building spans a cool 31,270 square feet and, while it's in a state of disrepair, it’s clear how amazing the pad could be if given a cash injection. Known as Kautzemünde, the property was once owned by Count Peter von der Pahlen, a major in the Russian Army, known for his role in the assassination of Tsar Paul I. His son and successor, Alexander I, later inherited Kautzmünde. He reorganised and enlarged it, resulting in the manor house you see today.

According to the listing, the property was built to the plans of master builder, Severin Jensen, who was the court architect of the Duke of Courland from 1772. Interestingly, the castle was later used as a school and, during the Soviet period, it served as a dormitory and kindergarten. Though in ruins, with holes in the floors and ceilings, the interior still shows signs of its original splendour. However, it's clear there's a lot of work to be done to bring the building back from the brink.

Pretty, rural and affordable, this derelict country house is a real find – but it needs an extensive renovation, both inside and out. Located close to the medieval village of Excideuil in the Aquitaine region of France, the house likely dates back to 1705, if the mantel carving above one of its fireplaces is anything to go by. 

Listed via Patrice Besse for €340,000, that's £292,400 ($363k), the historic home spans 1,883 square feet and was constructed as a humble wheelwright’s abode, towards the end of King Louis XIV’s reign. Later, developers extended the residence, resulting in the house you see today. This later addition can be spotted, thanks to the random coursed stonework and timber elements that make up its façade. 

Inside, there’s an entrance lobby, a living room, a corbels room, a kitchen, a shower room, a bedroom and a lower room – likely once used for storing barrels of wine or cheese – that’s waiting to be put to use. There’s also an attic, but part of its roof is missing! Highlights of the home include its grand fireplaces, alcoves, arched stone lintels and chestnut floorboards. Thanks to a partial renovation, some of the hard work has been done, including the electrics and new insulating lime-hemp plaster walls. The price also includes two gardens and two barns – cool conversion, anyone?

If you ignore the garden, then this compact bungalow in St Merryn, north Cornwall, looks fairly ordinary. But how can you overlook the front garden when it's filled with historic, granite standing stones?

But before we get to those, let's first discuss the house itself. The detached, three-bedroom bungalow was built in the 1970s and benefits from a living room, dining room, kitchen, three bedrooms and a family bathroom. Not to mention far-reaching countryside views. In need of modernising, the old-fashioned property is a bit of a blank canvas. But it’s really all about what’s going on outside...

The garden is literally overflowing with huge, granite standing stones, each with its own name. From the Wedding Stone to the Healing Stone, these historic stones were imported by the previous owner and self-proclaimed 'Arch Druid' of Cornwall, Ed Prynn. Many people have visited the stones over the years. Some of these people even had their names carved into the façade of the bungalow. Love it? It's for sale with Cole Rayment & White for offers in excess of £500,000 ($620k).

It isn't very often that a historic, grade-I listed motte-and-bailey castle comes up for sale. Stretching almost 30 acres on a gorgeous hilltop in rural Herefordshire, Wigmore Castle was founded in 1067 by William Fitz Osbern, the former Earl of Hereford, and a close associate of William the Conqueror. With a rich and fascinating history, it was a major centre of power for over 500 years, playing host to several kings and queens.

According to the listing, Wigmore was one of many castles built close to the England–Wales border after the Norman Conquest. The castle was held by the Mortimer family from about 1075 to 1425, when it passed to the royal family and has hosted many kings and queens over the centuries. It remained in their possession until Elizabeth I sold it to Sir Thomas Harley in 1601. The castle fell into ruin after the Civil War and remained untouched until the 1990s when English Heritage conserved it. 

The inner bailey, which was the main residential area of the castle, was defended by a gatehouse, a deep double ditch and four surviving towers. Sadly, only one corner of the great hall survives. For sale with Sunderlands for just £500,000 ($620k), the ruins could be incorporated into an amazing self-build project. There's also an existing workshop, which has planning consent to be transformed into a two-bedroom dwelling. The site is bordered by agricultural land and would make for a seriously luxurious remote home.

Could this be the ultimate fixer-upper? Positioned in the village of Słobity in Braniewo County, Poland, this incredible castle is waiting to be rescued and brought back to its former glory. However, whoever decides to take it on will need patience, a big bank account and plenty of imagination. Known as Schlobitten Castle, the property is priced at £859,000 ($1.1m), or €999,000 – after a recent price cut – and is enclosed by almost 136 acres of land. 

Once owned by one of the most prestigious Prussian noble families, the zu Dohnas, the castle was originally built in 1680 and expanded in the late 17th and early 18th centuries with impressive, Baroque additions. According to the listing, it was once considered an outstanding example of Baroque architecture and housed valuable works of art, libraries, furniture and porcelain collections. Sadly, the castle was burned down in March 1945 by the Red Army and its treasures were stolen.

Today, only the outer walls of the palace and fragments of its former side wings remain. However, it isn’t difficult to imagine how amazing it could be, if given the right level of care and attention. Sadly, we don’t know how big the palace is, but the listing agents suggest that there are secret underground vaults, possibly hiding the elusive and long-lost Amber Room. If you're keen to buy the place and hunt down its hidden treasures, then snap it up before it's gone!

If you dream of being cut off from everything, then you may want to invest €1.3 million – that's £1.1 million ($1.4m) – in this remote island, off the coast of Galway, Ireland. High Island, or Ardoileán in Gaelic, comes with 80 acres of land, two natural lakes, some dilapidated buildings and numerous ruins.

Located around 3km off the west coast of Connemara, the private island consists of mostly grazing land and rises to a maximum height of 208 feet above sea level. It has an abundance of birdlife, giving it protected status, which includes gulls, fulmars, Manx shearwaters and oystercatchers – even a pair of peregrine falcons that breed each spring.

While some artefacts may date back as far as 300 BC, this ruined monastery is believed to have been founded in the 7th century – though it was probably built on several times since. It remains a national monument, owned by the Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government (DEHLG), so would not be included in the sale, but would still make for an atmospheric backdrop.

If that private island doesn't take your fancy, then how about this one? Torsa Island – Norse for Thor's Island – is located in the Inner Hebrides and is enclosed by magnificent mountains and lochs that this part of Scotland is celebrated. Priced at a very reasonable £1.5 million ($1.9m), the isle is a rare and wonderful real estate opportunity for one lucky buyer. In fact, the island is for sale for the first time in 85 years.

Stretching more than 270 acres, Torsa Island is made up of three isles, Torsa, Torsa Beag and Eilean na h-Eaglaise, which was reclaimed from the Crown in 2009. The most prominent historical feature of the island is the ruined, medieval Casteal nan Con (the Dogs' Castle). Occupying a defensive position on a rocky platform, the tower house was home to Clan Campbell during the late Middle Ages and used as a watch tower to protect the inland waters.

The island is also home to the Torsa Farmhouse, positioned overlooking the mouth of Loch Melfort. Dating back to the mid-19th century, the farmhouse was constructed from traditional stone with a slate roof. Though in good condition, it could do with a bit of a makeover. Plus, with all that land to play with, we're sure the lucky new owners will be able to build themselves something even more spectacular.

If you've got £32 million ($40m) going spare, then this abandoned gold mine in Beatty, Nevada, could soon be yours. As the biggest gold mill ever built in America, the crumbling structure occupies 20 acres of land and is ripe for restoration.

Known as the Bonnie Claire Gold Mill, the site is in a sorry state, with the mine's structures all falling apart. So why so expensive? Well, a recent leaching test has revealed that the land is still home to plenty of gold, silver, platinum and lithium, that's just waiting to be mined!

As well as the old, derelict mill equipment, the property also boasts numerous stone structures that are waiting to be fixed up. Create a one-of-a-kind home, unusual holiday rentals or a business opportunity. Available via Compass, the mill has been on the market for over a year, so the buyer could potentially get a discount. If you're feeling lucky, what are you waiting for?

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