What is the “Castle in the Clouds” in New Hampshire?
I wouldn't call this magnificent house at the summit of the Ossipee Mountain Range in New Hampshire a castle in the clouds, but it is certainly impressive. The view from its terrace and many of its rooms over the lake landscape of Lake Winnepesaukee is particularly breathtaking. From there, we gaze down on the various bays of the lake with the unpronounceable name. In between, we see small villages nestled along the lakeshore.
A road trip through New Hampshire to the Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough
We drove around the north shore of Lake Winnepesaukee from our accommodation, the Boathouse Lodge at Church Landing in Meredith, New Hampshire, for about half an hour. At the gate to the Castle of the Clouds, we were greeted by a friendly old lady. She handed us a map and said, "Everything you want to see, you'll have to do on the way up the mountain. Otherwise, you won't be able to get there."
Walks & hiking trails around the Castle in the Clouds
It immediately becomes clear to us that this isn't possible, as the paths through the grounds below the Castle in the Clouds are one-way. So we stop at a parking lot halfway up. From there, a hiking trail leads to the "Falls of Song," a waterfall we can hear rushing from afar. A boardwalk leads along the stream. We enjoy the morning coolness, which is further intensified by the rippling water that accompanies us. At the end of the path, we stand on a wooden platform. There we watch the falling masses of water, which eventually flow further down the mountain in the stream.
Lake Winnipesaukee: Enjoy nature and the view
A few hundred meters further up the mountain, we are treated to our first – wonderful – view of the lake landscape below us. We get a taste of what awaits us at the castle in the clouds at the top of the mountain. We don't reach it by car, but by a trolley. This runs at regular intervals from the visitor center to the main building at the top of the mountain. Here, too, the purpose of this connection quickly becomes clear. The road is so narrow that two cars can't pass each other.
Enjoyment with a view: Experience the Carriage House Restaurant
Therefore, our driver radios in with the trolley at the other end of the route before setting off. He turns out to be a real chatterbox and tells us what we shouldn't miss. He especially raves about "Gretchen's" cooking, which is "out of this world." We can spend the entire day exploring the castle and its grounds if we wish.
We don't have time for Gretchen's kitchen or a full day on the grounds, but we do check out the Castle in the Clouds. We especially enjoy the magnificent view from its terrace. "The view must be fantastic in autumn," I think to myself. I gaze at the deciduous forests below me, stretching to the horizon.
The Castle in the Clouds and its Story: An Insight into the Life of Thomas Plant
The mansion was built by Thomas and Olive Plant from 1913 to 1914. Tom had made a fortune in shoe manufacturing. He sold his business at the age of 51. Newly married to his second wife, Olive, he settled in Lucknow, as he called his home atop the Ossipee Mountain Range. His dream of a quiet retirement, however, never came true. Some of his investments turned out to be poor ones. During the Great Depression, the couple attempted to sell the house and property, but were unsuccessful. They lived there until 1941, when Tom Plant died. After his death, the house was sold and has been open to the public since 1959.
Architecture & Furnishings: How people lived in the early 20th century
Inside, we see how the family lived: in large, bright rooms furnished with the latest technological advances of the time. A grand staircase connects the ground floor to the first floor, where the Plants' bedrooms and guest rooms are located. The living room below is decorated in dark tones.
Next to the master of the house's desk stands a suit of armor. On the housewife's vanity rests a heavy silver handheld mirror with rich floral decoration. This is repeated in the handle of the hairbrush and comb. Crocheted blankets serve as bedspreads on the guest beds. In the lady of the house's room, a table is set for a tea party—with fresh strawberries, homemade muffins, and a teapot practically waiting for guests. The lady of the house appears to have just gotten up. On her bed, the breakfast tray is still unused. It contains a boiled egg and a fresh bouquet of flowers, seemingly heralding a good day. The Castle in the Clouds offers us an authentic glimpse into the lives of wealthy Americans in New Hampshire during the Great Depression.
Castle in the Clouds
RT 171
455 Old Mountain Rd.
Moultonborough, NH 03254
www.castleintheclouds.org
Travel Arrangements:
Parking at the airport
Here you can reserve your parking space at the airport.
Getting to the Castle in the Clouds:
Lufthansa, KLM, United and other airlines fly from Germany to various airports in the eastern United States.
Car Rentals:
Cheap car hire - book quickly and easily!
Hotels near the Castle in the Clouds:
Hotels in molto Borough* You can book through our partner booking.com. More Hotels in New Hampshire * You can also find this link.
Further Recommendations for Slow Travel you can find it here, for example.
More things to know
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- Slovenia's Karawanken in the rain
Source: own on-site research. We thank Discover New England for their support. However, our opinions remain, as always, our own.
Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Video: © Copyright Petar Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
