The new owner of the main part of Devizes Castle said she has been smitten by the town and its people.

Interior designer Julia Dempster, 39, bought the north tower of the Victorian mansion built on the site of the medieval castle in the spring, although she admits having reservations about it.

She said: “I saw the castle advertised over a year ago but was put off purchasing it because it was only the principal part of the castle.

“I eventually viewed it in April and put an offer in the same day. I moved into the property in June and immediately christened it by hosting my sister’s hen do.”

Ms Dempster always wanted to own a castle after working in Warwick Castle, close to where she grew up.

After completing a BA (Hons) degree in interior design at Birmingham University and a Masters in furniture design at Brunel University, she travelled the world.

On her return she landed a job designing palaces in Dubai for Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoun, now the ruler of the United Arab Emirates.

She has a home at Palm Jumeirah in Dubai and will divide her time between the Gulf and Wiltshire.

“I would love to get involved with the community. Everyone I have met has welcomed me with open arms,” she said. “It is one of the qualities lacking in Dubai.”

Ms Dempster’s ultimate aim is to own the whole castle. The south tower is under separate ownership and she is in discussion with the current owners about a possible sale. But her wish to open up the castle grounds to the public is unlikely to come to fruition.

She said: “Unfortunately the property has a covenant on it, meaning that it cannot be opened to the public or used for commercial purposes. It is a shame, as I would love to host Shakespeare re-enactments and historical features within the grounds.

“I intend to live in the castle with my son, who is four, still awaiting my prince.”

There is nothing left of the medieval castle except for the moat and two sections of Norman archway. It fell into disrepair by the 16th century, when Sir Edward Bayntun took 1,500 stones from it to build Bromham House. The modern castle was built in 1838 by wealthy tradesman Valentine Leach.