LA Hilden

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Castle Saunderson is located in County Cavan, Ireland, on the site of an earlier medieval stronghold known as Breffni Castle, associated with the Gaelic O’Reilly clan who historically ruled the Breffni region. Following the Plantation of Ulster in the early 17th century, the land was granted to the Saunderson family, who established their estate there in the 1600s. The original castle was destroyed in 1689 during the Williamite Wars. A later Georgian house was developed on the site in the 18th century, and in the 19th century it was extensively rebuilt and enlarged in a Gothic Revival style by the Saunderson family, particularly under Francis Saunderson and later Alexander Saunderson, transforming it into a castellated country house with asymmetrical fronts, towers, and ornamental battlements. The family gradually ceased full-time residence in the 20th century, and the estate was eventually sold in 1977. A fire in 1990 severely damaged the building, leaving it in ruin. In 1997, the estate and surrounding lands were acquired by Scouting Ireland, and after restoration and development, the Castle Saunderson International Scouting Centre opened in 2012, now offering indoor accommodation, activity facilities, and camping areas across the 34-acre site. The castle is also locally associated with layered histories of Gaelic lordship, plantation settlement, and later Anglo-Irish estate life.

Larnach Castle is located on the ridge of the Otago Peninsula in Dunedin, New Zealand. Entrepreneur and politician, William Larnach, built the Gothic Revival castle in 1871. After William’s death, the following legal battles over his will had the Larnach family selling the home in 1906. During the 20thcentury, the property changed hands numerous times and underwent updates, but by 1967 the castle was in poor condition. The castle had been used as an insane asylum, a hospital for shell-shocked soldiers, and a nuns’ retreat. The castle was then purchased by the Barker family, who restored the castle, added the award-winning gardens, and retrieved some of the original period furnishings for the home. The forty-three-room castle boasts exposed verandahs, a 3,000 square foot ballroom, and intricately carved ceilings, which took years to complete. The castle sits on 35 acres, which includes a variety of gardens, a stable with six guest rooms, and a lodge that has twelve themed rooms. Larnach Castle serves as a tourist attraction and is open to the public for tours, events, and weddings. The castle offers a gift shop, a café, and beautiful tower views.

Chillon Castle is located on a rocky island at the east end of Lake Geneva, Switzerland. This strategic site has been occupied since the Bronze Age. The castle is first mentioned in 1150 when the Counts of Savoy owned the property. In the 13thcentury, Pierre II of Savory extended the castle to be used as a summerhouse, but it was rarely used and fell into disrepair. In 1536, after a three-week siege, the Swiss Bernese army took possession of the fortress and transformed the castle by adding more defensive features. The castle remained under Bernese control for 260 years and served as a fortress, arsenal, and prison. Due to the Vaudois Revolution, the Bernese left the castle in 1798, and the estate became the property of Canton of Vaud in 1803. Restorations began on the castle in the late 19thcentury, which still continue to this day. The castle boasts underground rooms with vaulted Gothic ceilings, three great halls overlooking Lake Geneva, a 14thcentury chapel, a weapons room, a castle crypt, four courtyards, a mechanical automaton representing the Bernese capture of the castle, and much more. Chillon Castle is open to the public. 

A godmother’s schemes may just turn the quietest wallflower into society’s most unexpected blossom. https://lahilden.com/the-wallflowers-godmother/

Kincardine Castle is located in Royal Deeside, Scotland. Built for Mary Pickering between 1894 and 1896, the castle is a Victorian country house designed in the Scots Baronial style. It served as a hospital during both World Wars before passing through generations of the same family. Rising taxes, inflation, and interest rates during the mid-20th century led to a period of decline until Andrew Bradford began restoring the castle after taking over in 1979. Set on a 3,000-acre estate overlooking the River Dee, the property includes a walled garden, woodland gardens, and the famous Laburnum Walk. Today, Kincardine Castle remains a private family home that hosts exclusive-use weddings, celebrations, corporate retreats, and group stays. The castle offers 12 guest bedrooms and is only open to the public during select events throughout the year.

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Laarne Castle is located in the province of East Flanders in Laarne, Belgium. The first moated fortress on this site was built in the 11th century to help defend the approaches to Ghent and Gravensteen Castle. In the 14th century, the Counts of Flanders were permitted to station a garrison there, and the castle endured several sieges over the centuries. Built mainly of sandstone, the square castle features three circular towers with pyramid-shaped roofs dating from the medieval period. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the fortress was transformed into a more comfortable residence, with parts of the curtain walls converted into living quarters and the drawbridge later removed. After falling into decline, the castle underwent major restoration work during the 20th century. Its last private owner, Count de Ribaucourt, donated the castle to the Royal Association of Historic Residences and Gardens of Belgium. Today, Laarne Castle is a protected monument and museum open to the public, with a restaurant located in the forecourt.