Top 10 Interesting Facts about Larnach Castle

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Larnach Castle

Larnach Castle is located on the Otago Peninsula ridge. The mock castle can be found a short distance from Dunedin city in New Zealand near the Pukehiki small settlements. The house was built by William Larnach, a prominent politician and entrepreneur. The castle has been privately owned by the Barker family since 1967. It was opened to the public as a tourist attraction site. It’s sold as ‘New Zealand’s only castle.’

Below are ten incredible facts about Larnach Castle.

1. The Castle is a designated New Zealand Landmark

Larnach Castle in the Otago Peninsula, New Zealand. Photo by Diego Delso/Wikimedia Commons

Heritage New Zealand designated the castle as a New Zealand Landmark in 2018. The castle’s gardens have been awarded the ‘Garden of International Significance.’ This award was by the New Zealand Gardens Trust.

There are only five gardens in New Zealand that have received that status and the castle gardens are one of them. Members of the public are allowed to access both the castle and the gardens.

2. About 200 men were used to build the main castle structure

A 1890 image of William Larnach. Photo by natlib.govt.nz/Wikimedia Commons

William James Mudie Larnach lived at the Larnach Castle, which was his private residence. In 1870, the land on which the castle stands was purchased. R.A. Lawson, a prominent Dunedin architect was chosen to prepare the design for the Gothic Revival mansion.

The ground was leveled and clear-felled and in 1871, construction of the castle began. The ground had volcanic rock and to level the ground, the men jammed pegs into the ground. Once the pegs were in the volcanic rock, they poured cold salt water to split them.

The material used for the construction of the castle was imported from around the world. It took about 200 men to finish building the main structure of the castle.

3. One of the ceilings took six and a half years to complete

Most of the stone used to build the castle came from a neighboring basalt quarry. Additional materials included North Island Kauri, Catlins timber, Glasgow brick, yellow brick, Oamaru stone, Italian marble, Cornwall Blackstone, Marseilles cobbles, Port Chalmers basalt, and local Caversham sandstone for the ballroom.

Several intricate ceilings were carved by the Godfrey family. It took six and a half years to carve a single ceiling in the main foyer. In 1875, glass was imported from Venice. The twenty-tonne glass was used to close in the verandahs that were unsuitable for Dunedin winters.

4. The building had 43 rooms and needed 46 servants to attend to it

The ballroom in Larnach Castle. Photo by Donovan Govan/Wikimedia Commons

In 1887, a 3000-square-foot ballroom was completed. This was a 21st birthday present for Kate, Larnach’s eldest daughter. In total, the castle had 43 rooms and needed 46 servants to attend to it.

The grounds were 35 acres and included a farm of 300 acres with a cowshed that could hold 300 cows, stables, a vinery, and the farm workers’ quarters.

5. The reference to the Larnach’s residence as a castle was the creation of the press

William Larnach referred to his residence as ‘The Camp.’ The press began using the phrase ‘castle’ on 8 December 1874. This was days after William and his wife Eliza moved into their residence.

William faced several financial and personal setbacks that led him to take his own life in October 1898. He committed suicide in New Zealand’s Parliament Buildings. Bitter legal battles over Larnach’s will forced the family to sell the house in 1906.

6. The building is thought to be one of the most haunted in New Zealand

The mausoleum of William Larnach and family, in Dunedin Northern Cemetery. This is a miniature replica of the First Church of Otago, and was designed by Robert Lawson (architect). Photo by Grutness/Wikimedia Commons

It is said that the castle is one of the most haunted buildings in New Zealand. There have been sightings of a bearded Victorian gentleman. Legend is the ghost sighted in the castle is that of Larnach.

Workers and visitors in the castle have said they felt someone push them from behind. There have also been cases of mysterious cigar smoke smells in unoccupied rooms. These unusual activities piqued the interest of paranormal investigators.

Coming from New Zealand and abroad, the investigators aired their findings in several ‘ghost hunter’ television programs. The programs were aired in the United States and New Zealand.

7. Over the years, the building has been owned by different people

The building has been owned by several different people over the years. After falling into disrepair, Barry and Margaret Barker bought the building in 1967. In 1990, Norcombe Barker became the Castle’s Executive Director.

The Baker family has carried out a lot of repair work on the castle. This includes refurnishing the castle with its original furniture. The castle’s tourism operations provide regular upkeep. The music room also underwent a USD 100,000 refurbishment in 20015.

William Larnach’s home did not originally have a garden. It was a later inclusion and has earned the title of ‘Garden of International Significance.’ The title was bestowed upon the castle by the New Zealand Gardens Trust.

8. The Castle hosts regular events including an annual winter ball

The castle is a significant tourist attraction site in Dunedin. Each year, about 120,000 people visit the castle. Open 365 days a year, the castle offers accommodation, and events, as well as guided and self-guided tours.

There are several in-house events held at the castle each year. Among these is the annual Winter Ball. Those who choose to stay at the castle can choose from three different types of accommodation. The options include the Larnach Castle Lodge, Larnach Castle Stables, and the neighboring luxury accommodation Camp Estate. Those who stay at the castle are allowed to dine in the castle.

9. The Castle has been featured in several film productions

Hanlon, a TVNZ Dunedin production, used the castle as the location for its film in 1985. The introductory scenes in Shaker Run, the US-New Zealand film co-production, also used the location in 1985.

‘Castle of Lies’ was a 1994 film on the Larnach family tragedies. It was performed in the castle ballroom by Dunedin’s Fortune Theatre, in front of 100 guests. In 2022, Netflix used Larnach Castle and the Camp Estate as a location for the film The Royal Treatment. The castle was the royal family residence of a fictitious country known as Lavonia.

Apart from the films, the castle has been featured in paranormal shows in New Zealand and the United States. The shows include Spookers, Ghost Hunt, and American Ghost Hunters International.

10. It is the only castle in New Zealand

The logo owned by Larnach Castle Limited for Larnach Castle. Photo by larnachcastle.co.nz/Wikimedia Commons

The Larnach Castle which was built in 1871, is New Zealand’s only castle. The Baker family purchased the castle in 1967 and continues to restore and conserve it as a historic site.