Originally a large building fortified against attack. Conceptually, it represents the essence of building and of home: a safe haven created with thick solid walls, made comfortable with big fires and thick textiles.
At its best, ‘castle’ combines the serious business of building from the land, protection from marauders, entrance and exit, light and heat in a high, capacious building with a sparseness and simplicity of line and craftsmanship that needs little addition, yet is enhanced by fine details and simple colours and furnishings.
A complex simplicity that of castle, is very similar to cottage, at the other end of the architectural scale.