You Have to See These 2 Enchanting Castles Found in Tennessee

When you imagine a castle, you may picture the hillsides of Ireland or an old movie based on medieval times. Did you know that there are numerous castles throughout the United States? Today we will be taking an in-depth look into two of the stunning castles in Tennessee. 

Beautiful pictures, information about tours, and detailed history of both locations are just a quick read away! 

Castle Gwynn

Mike Freeman, a professional photographer who was born in Nashville, and his wife Jackie, a retired teacher, live at Castle Gwynn. This place is a remarkable copy of a Welsh border castle from the 12th century. 

Additionally, it serves as the venue for the Tennessee Renaissance Festival every May. You’ll find this beauty in the small town of Arrington, TN.

History Behind Castle Gwynn

Castle Gwynn has been an ongoing project since 1970. This is when Mike Freeman came up with the idea for it for an architectural class in high school. Students were given instructions by their teacher to draw their ideal home. 

As you can imagine, Mike drew a castle. Freeman spent ten years after finishing high school building his photography business, conducting research, and hunting for property to put his castle. 

John Covington, who Freeman met and who was fascinated by his concept, helped Freeman purchase 40 acres of land close to Arrington and Triune. When he was prepared to begin construction, Kenneth Canaday, an accomplished mason from Hickman County with whom he had struck a deal 10 years prior was contacted. 

Back in high school, Freeman asked Canaday if he would help him with his castle project. Canaday said Mike would need to stop dating Canaday’s daughter and he would help. Freeman and Canaday worked on weekends for two years shaping over 13,000 bricks into several dozen arches. 

The kitchen is the castle’s greatest splendor, with its brick archways, stained-glass windows, and tile created by hand featuring a coat of arms. But this is just the start.

Castle Gwynn’s Namesake

Two seven-story towers at Castle Gwynn are joined by a brick courtyard or corridor with Indiana limestone archways. The main entrance of the castle features a dual staircase made of stone and brick that is fashioned after one at the White House. It has served as the setting for numerous weddings, and other events. 

The south tower, which remains in development, is mostly used for hosting visitors while the couple’s residence is in the north tower of Castle Gwynn. The white stucco on both towers is striking. 

Back in the day, robbers targeted castles. Because a person cannot scale a light-colored wall on a dark night without being visible, castles were frequently painted white. Castle Gwynn means “White Castle” because the word “Gwynn” in Welsh means “white.” 

Unbelievable Architecture

There will be a honeymoon suite with a private elevator and hot tub on the higher levels of the south tower. The lower level of the north tower houses the previously mentioned kitchen. The washer and dryer, as well as a little elevator, are concealed behind a lovely wooden door. 

Modern cooling and heating equipment, as well as electrical connections, are concealed to preserve the overall aesthetic. The family room, which has a brick fireplace, antique pieces of furniture, stained-glass lighting, an assortment of 16th-century medieval weapons, and a 450-year-old authentic portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, can be viewed via the twisting staircase from the kitchen.

The primary bedroom and bathroom, an extra room, an armory where the owner intends to showcase his seven sets of armor, a fitness room with a hot tub, and unique windows are all located on the upper levels of the north tower. There is a bathroom on every floor.

The peak of the north tower is a 24,000-pound, 30-foot-diameter cone, whereas the roof of the south tower is currently being built and is situated on the main below.

Visiting Gwynn Castle

You can tour the famous Tennessee palace for a single month out of the year.

The Freemans created the Tennessee Renaissance Festival in 1986. They host it each weekend in May in addition to Memorial Day. During this time, they allow visitors to tour areas of their medieval mansion. 

The castle grounds flourish with Renaissance-style performers, craftsmen selling jewelry, costumes, works of art, and accessories. You’ll discover food vendors offering all types of food from massive turkey legs to classic funnel cakes. 

For entertainment, the castle provides jousting matches, games, and rides, as well as guided tours of Castle Gwynn.

Wildlife Near Castle Gwynn

One of the best locations in Tennessee for warblers along with other songbird migration is Arrington. Many different animal species can be found in this region of Tennessee, a few of which have evolved to survive in urban settings. The Eastern gray squirrel is a well-known local, frequently sighted darting through parks and streets while demonstrating its acrobatic prowess.​​

On the fringes of Nashville to the north, white-tailed deer can be spotted frequently in open areas and seldom in residential areas.  Other mammalian residents of Arrington include foxes, skunks, and opossums. These animals thrive in urban environments and can adapt to woodland areas as well. 

Lookout Mountain Castle

The next castle in Tennessee that we’ll be looking at is the Lookout Mountain Castle, AKA The Castle In The Clouds. The castle-like structure, which formerly housed the opulent Lookout Mountain Hotel, is now home to approximately 300 college students, administrative spaces, and the Great Hall.

History of Lookout Mountain Castle

Just south of Lookout Point on Jackson Hill, the Lookout Mountain Castle was constructed in 1928. The original plan for the building was to make a breathtaking hotel. The development of the hotel was made possible by the recently finished Scenic Highway that connects Gadsden, Alabama, with Chattanooga. 

Despite struggling during the Great Depression, the hotel saw popularity as a summer destination in the 1940s and 1950s. Tennis, swimming, and golfing could all be played outside against the background of Tudor architecture. 

Evening gatherings included music, dancing, and plenty of adult beverages, none of which could be found in Hamilton County due to its dry status. There are rumors that passageways under the Lookout Mountain Castle once housed moonshine and other home-brewed alcohol during Prohibition.

On June 14, 1927, the foundation for the Lookout Mountain Castle was formally laid. The Tennessee marvel allowed visitors in June 1928. The Chattanooga-based R. H. Hunt and Company created the design and the Underwood Contracting Company of New Orleans built it for roughly $1,050,000 in total. Covenant College has called the Lookout Mountain Castle home since 1964.

Amazing Architecture

The 200-room hotel, known as “The Castle in the Clouds,” had opulent features such as a lavish red velvet carpet, enormous candelabras with hefty gilded bases, luxurious velvet loveseats, fainting sofas, and the biggest ballroom in the South. 

A room called Knights of the Round Table was adorned with a huge round table and historical suits of armor keeping guard in every direction in keeping with the castle theme.

Visiting Lookout Mountain Castle

Taking a tour of Lookout Mountain Castle isn’t quite as easy as Castle Gwynn. The tours are available to prospective students. Existing students and members of their admissions team are available to take you around the campus and provide you with additional information during the summer. 

Tourists can also schedule meetings with lecturers and athletic coaches, subject to scheduling. For the entire visit experience, the college strongly advises you to also consider coming during either the Autumn or Spring semester. 

Wildlife Near Lookout Mountain Castle 

Anyone who loves the outdoors preferred method of recreation stems from a deep-seated need to connect with nature. To accomplish that, we must pause, take a breath, look, and listen. Getting a look of a jumping doe, an energetic otter on the banks of rivers, or a Great Blue Heron soaring in the sky can be among Lookout Mountain’s most priceless gifts.