Larnach Castle Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Larnach Castle


General information
Architectural style	Gothic Revival
Location	Dunedin, New Zealand
Construction started	1871
Completed	1874 (additions until 1887)
Owner	Barker Family
Design and construction
Architect	R. A. Lawson
Designations	Garden of International Significance Qualmark Endorsed Activity
Known for	Tourism Destination

The main front of the castle

Inside the beautiful ballroom

Larnach Castle, sometimes called "Larnach's Castle," is a large, castle-like house located on a hill in the Otago Peninsula in Dunedin, New Zealand. It's near the small town of Pukehiki. This impressive building is one of the biggest houses of its kind in New Zealand.

The castle was built by William Larnach, a well-known businessman and a person involved in government. Since 1967, the Barker family has owned the castle. They opened it to visitors as a tourist attraction, calling it "New Zealand's only castle."

Today, you can visit the castle and its gardens every day. The gardens at Larnach Castle are very special. They are one of only five gardens in New Zealand to be called a "Garden of International Significance" by the New Zealand Gardens Trust. These were the first gardens in the South Island to get this important title. In 2018, Larnach Castle was also named a New Zealand Landmark by Heritage New Zealand.

The Story of Larnach Castle
The Castle Today
See also

The Story of Larnach Castle

Building a Dream Castle

Larnach Castle was built to be the home of William James Mudie Larnach. He bought the land for the castle in 1870. A famous architect from Dunedin, R.A. Lawson, was chosen to design the grand house. It was built in a style called Gothic Revival, which means it looked like old castles and cathedrals.

Construction started in 1871. Workers had to clear and flatten the building site first. They used a clever method: they put pegs into the volcanic rock and then poured cold salt water on them to split the surface. About 200 workers helped build the main part of the castle. They used materials from all over the world.

Much of the stone for the castle came from a nearby quarry. Other materials included yellow brick, special bricks from Glasgow, and stone from Oamaru. They also used blackstone from Cornwall, marble from Italy, and timber from the Catlins area. Even glass from Venice was imported to enclose the outdoor porches, making them warmer for Dunedin's cold winters.

The Godfrey family carved many of the detailed ceilings inside the castle. One ceiling in the main entrance hall took six and a half years to complete! In 1887, a large ballroom was added. This was a 21st birthday gift for Larnach's oldest daughter, Kate. The castle eventually had 43 rooms and needed 46 servants to help run it. The property also included 35 acres for gardens and a 300-acre farm.

The Larnach Family Home

William Larnach simply called his home "The Camp." But local newspapers started calling it a "castle" on December 8, 1874, shortly after William and his wife Eliza moved in.

Sadly, William Larnach faced many personal and money problems. He passed away in New Zealand's Parliament Buildings in October 1898. After disagreements over his will, the Larnach family sold the house in 1906.

Spooky Stories at the Castle

Larnach Castle is known as one of New Zealand's most haunted buildings. People have reported seeing the ghost of a bearded Victorian gentleman, who some believe is Larnach himself. Visitors and workers have also smelled cigar smoke and port wine in empty rooms. Some even feel as if they have been suddenly pushed from behind.

These spooky tales have attracted people who investigate paranormal activity from New Zealand and other countries. The castle has appeared on several "ghost hunter" TV shows from New Zealand and the United States.

The Castle Today

Bringing the Castle Back to Life

Throughout the 1900s, Larnach Castle had many different owners and uses. The building slowly fell into disrepair, meaning it became damaged and neglected. In 1967, Barry and Margaret Barker bought the castle. Their son, Norcombe Barker, became the Executive Director in 1990.

The Barker family has done a lot of work to restore the castle. They have also found and brought back original furniture to make the house look as it once did. The beautiful gardens you see today were not part of William Larnach's original home. They were created later and have earned the "Garden of International Significance" award. Keeping the castle in good condition is an ongoing job, paid for by the money from tourism. For example, in 2015, the music room was renovated for $100,000.

In 2013, a direct descendant of William Larnach even proposed to her partner at the castle!

Visiting Larnach Castle

Larnach Castle is a very popular place for tourists in Dunedin. About 120,000 guests visit each year. The castle is open every day of the year. You can take guided tours or explore on your own. The castle also hosts special events, like their yearly Winter Ball.

Larnach Castle Ltd offers three types of accommodation for guests: Larnach Castle Stables, Larnach Castle Lodge, and the luxurious Camp Estate nearby. Guests staying overnight can also enjoy dinner inside the castle itself.

Castle Appearances in Media

Larnach Castle has been featured in several TV shows and movies.

In 1985, it was used for filming the TVNZ production Hanlon.
The same year, it appeared in the opening scenes of the film Shaker Run.
In 1994, a play about the Larnach family, called Castle of Lies, was performed in the castle ballroom.
Larnach Castle and the Camp Estate were used as filming locations for the 2022 Netflix movie, The Royal Treatment. In the movie, they were the home of the royal family from a made-up country called Lavania.
The building has also been visited by paranormal investigators and shown on TV shows like New Zealand's Ghost Hunt and Spookers, as well as international shows like the American Ghost Hunters International.

Larnach Castle facts for kids

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