Now this was a dream come true! I got to step inside an actual castle, roam the corridors, admire the beautiful artwork, peer over the balconies and explore the grand gardens! No, I didn’t suddenly fly to Europe without any plan or warning. This is New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle. And I was lucky enough to explore this historic treasure!
Larnach Castle is actually a mock castle built in 1871 by William Larnach, a merchant baron and politician. The castle was built for Larnach’s first wife Eliza and took a total of 15 years to completely build and decorate. While Larnach Castle is a beautiful mix of Scottish and Gothic architecture, its history is much more tragic. William’s first wife, Eliza, died from a stroke only 9 years into the construction of the castle. He then married Eliza’s half-sister Mary Alleyne in 1882, but this relationship was also cut short with her dying of blood poisoning 5 years later. William struggled with depression and isolation, which heavily influenced the castle’s design. After all of these events and his struggle with mental health, he took his life in 1898. Larnach Castle sat empty and in ruin until the Barker family bought it in 1967. Restoration efforts began on the structure and interior of the castle as well as the surrounding garden.
Now, as New Zealand’s only castle, I thought it would stand out in some way. I wanted to get a cool, dramatic video as we were driving up to it. But as we got closer and closer, I still couldn’t see it! It wasn’t until we arrived at the car park out the front that I could finally see the brickwork of the castle and the enormous front lawn. For a very famous building, it’s extremely hidden from the rest of the city. Nevertheless, as we walked through the hedge archway toward Larnach Castle, we couldn’t stop the awe and wonder that flowed through all of us.
We were welcomed in by a lovely team of guides. Larnach Castle does offer guided tours, but most people choose to go off and wander by themselves, taking in the beautiful 19th-century architecture and embellishments. First, we watched a video about the history of the castle, the family, and how it was restored to the present-day Larnach Castle. We were then off to explore the property! I felt like I was in a period drama every time I walked into a new room and saw a stunning chandelier, a gorgeous statue bust, or even an elegant yet eerie taxidermy dome of a dozen birds.
Now I know it’s a castle and all, but there were so many rooms! We finally made it up to one of the balconies to look out over the gardens and the water nearby. Oh to have this view from your own balcony! There were so many things about Larnach Castle I would absolutely love to incorporate into my own home if money wasn’t an obstacle. For one, a sun room with an array of different plants, where family and guests can just sit and relax. Another is the giant gardens they have, but we’ll get to that.
Once we had lived our royal dreams within the castle corridors, we ventured outside to explore the gardens and stables. Now the gardens were not what I was expecting, but this isn’t to say they weren’t absolutely beautiful. They weren’t the most colourful when you look from afar, but when wondering along the garden paths, you’ll see some very unique native New Zealand plants. Some precious little bumble bees also came to say hello as they were busy at work! It’s very clear that the owner of the property, Margaret Barker, is a very proud gardener. She loves what she does, and she pours her heart and soul into making the gardens of Larnach Castle look lovely and pristine.
We couldn’t leave the castle without checking out their morning tea options! They offer many dining experiences at Larnach Castle within the Ballroom, a magnificent large open room with the most exquisite interior I’ve ever seen. Plus, their pistachio and coconut slice is to die for! If we were staying in Dunedin for longer, I would’ve loved to attend one of the Nightime Balls at Larnach Castle to truly live out my royal fantasy. But for now, all we could do was sit and eat in a real-life ballroom. The food was actually delicious, and we went back for lunch after visiting a few other Dunedin must-sees.
Well, I can now say I’ve stepped foot inside an actual castle, had a meal inside an actual ballroom, and wandered the grounds of a native New Zealand garden. Dunedin is a truly unique place with a lot of hidden treasures! I can’t wait to return!
All photos in this post were taken by me.
For more information about Larnach Castle, visit https://www.larnachcastle.co.nz/
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