We booked this online & were full of antisipation come 3.00 for High Tea. The Ball Room / Cafe was beautiful, we were seated at a table next to the open fire which was very pleasant.Our High Tea though was very disappointing, the smallest scones I have every seen, the cakes were traditionally small as well but that was expected....
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Larnach Castle & Gardens, Dunedin
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Larnach Castle & Gardens
145 Camp Rd | Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, New Zealand
64 3 476 1616
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159 visitor photos
Ranked #12 of 32 attractions in Dunedin
Type: Castles, Historic Sites
Owner description:
Discover New Zealand’s only Castle, built 1871 by William Larnach, merchant baron and politician, for his beloved first wife Eliza. It took more than...
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Owner description:
Discover New Zealand’s only Castle, built 1871 by William Larnach, merchant baron and politician, for his beloved first wife Eliza. It took more than 200 workmen three years to build the Castle shell and master European craftsmen spent a further 12 years embellishing the interior. Larnach spared no expense on his dream home, which features the finest materials from around the world.The Castle is still privately owned and cared for by the Barker family who purchased it as their home in 1967. Decades have been spent on the Castle's restoration, with the family having restored empty buildings from ruin and assembled a large collection of original New Zealand period furniture and antiques. Open to the public throughout, this conservation project has been funded through admission fees. The family has always been committed to opening their home and sharing this significant period of Dunedin and New Zealand's history.Scandalous and tragic stories, spectacular tower views and a Garden of International Significance complete this enjoyable award-winning experience. Boutique Lodge accommodation is available in the Castle gardens. Weddings, Balls, Conferences and Celebrations are held in the beautiful 3000 square foot Ballroom. High Tea is also now served daily in the Ballroom at 3pm
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Wanganui, New Zealand
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Pinjarra, Australia
Senior Reviewer
We only spent the time in the gardens was a bit expensive for our family. The gardens are gorgeous and well worth a walk around and the views are amazing.
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KL
Top Contributor
A great mansion, but apart from the external touches, it is not really a castle. Notwithstanding, it is definitely worth a visit, not only for the building itself (the carved staircase is a real masterpiece), but the excellent gardens and the story it tells. All in all, it is one of greatness tinged with great sadness and great tragedy.
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Canberra, Australia
Senior Contributor
Wandering the castle and gardens and enjoying the views this is a lovely castle and grounds. The house is reasonably small but the care taken in finishing and furnishing put it firmly in the correct context.
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Nelson, New Zealand
Reviewer
I last visited this castle in 1968 not long after the present owners had purchased it. There was very little furniture and everything had a shabby air to it. Now it is i splendid, as good as any stately home in England. William Larnach spent a lot of time and money on making this a home of distinction but after...
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Dublin, Ireland
Contributor
This is New Zealand's only castle, a Victorian folly built by a Scottish financier who made his money in the Australian gold rush. The gardens are beautiful, the castle interesting and the views stunning. I recently visited on a ghost hunting tour, which was great fun, but I have been here many times.
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Natalie B, Public Relations Manager at Larnach Castle & Gardens, responded to this review
15 May 2013
Dear Shirley J,
We are happy to hear you enjoyed your most recent visit with us. Thanks for taking the time to review the Castle.
Natalie Bisset
Marketing Support
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Manuwatu- Wanganui New Zealand
Reviewer
Loved the castle! The history is very well kept and the castle has been kept within its era. The gardens are gorgeous, would love to go back in summer! Very easy to spend a few hours there with a picnic. $28 per adult to get in seems reasonable considering the upkeep needed on the Castle. There seems to be options...
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See 2 more reviews by Katie H for Dunedin
New Zealand
Senior Contributor
We got there early, 9am, bought a garden ticket - found the map a little confusing. The cafe doesn't open until 930am which was shame as we were keen for breakfast at 9am. It was OK.
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See 4 more reviews by kitt3n for Dunedin
New Zealand
Contributor
It took half an hour to get out to ‘The Camp’ as its owner William Lanarch preferred to call what the brochures more commonly refer to as Lanarch Castle and others, a stately mansion. Perched high atop the Otago Peninsula, I could only imagine what the castle must have looked like in the early days with its unrestricted views over...
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Natalie B, Public Relations Manager at Larnach Castle & Gardens, responded to this review
2 May 2013
Dear joynz_10,
Thank you for taking the time to review us. It is so nice to hear you thoroughly enjoyed you experience with us in the Castle and Gardens. It sounds like you had a lovely day.
Natalie Bisset
Marketing Support
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Tauranga New Zealand
Contributor
We had a gala reuion dinner at Larnack Castle. Can not be faulted. Unfortunately only saw the inside and missed out on the gardens as it was in the evening.
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