Latest news with #castle
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Why you should swap the French Alps for the Bavarian mountains this summer
The castle is nothing like I expected. Since I'm in Bavaria, I had visions of towering spires and fairytale turrets, but as I push through the last few hundred metres of climb on my bike and Schachen Castle comes into view, I find myself gazing upon a Swiss-style lodge. The pretty, if rather bizarre, structure was built in 1869 by King Ludwig II of Bavaria as a retreat so he could enjoy the stunning landscapes and exquisite loneliness of the mountains. Indeed, the views from Schachen across the border to Austria are breathtaking. Inside, things get even stranger. The Turkish Hall is filled with opulent Moorish decor blended with Indian, Baroque and Oriental influences, which contrast with the simple Bavarian interiors on the ground floor. It's all rather eccentric – a bit like King Ludwig II himself. Just this month, the Schachen Royal House was added to the Unesco list of World Heritage Sites. There is a charm to this mountain home, although it may not have the classic fairytale beauty of King Ludwig II's other three Bavarian palaces that also made the list: Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof and Neuschwanstein, the latter of which is known as 'the original Disney castle' as it is thought to be Walt's inspiration for the palace in Sleeping Beauty. If I'm honest, Germany hadn't been on my list of summer Alpine destinations. For years it had been hard to tear me away from the French Alps (I've spent a good few long weekends scrambling up mountains and running along trails in Chamonix). Then I'd fallen in love with the Dolomites and spent the past couple of summers gazing upon those jagged peaks bathed in rose gold and wandering through meadows of wildflowers. Bavaria had barely registered on my radar. It was Schloss Elmau that got me out here. I'd heard tales of the mountain retreat where great thinkers mulled over ideas in the shadow of the mighty Witterstein, classical musicians played great works in the grand concert hall, and athletes had trained on the steep mountain trails. Not to mention that two G7 Summits had been hosted at the retreat in 2015 and 2022. If Angela Merkel and Barack Obama could thrash out the groundwork for the Paris Climate Agreement there then surely the Schloss could work its powers on me. A little digging revealed that the Schloss has something of a troubled past. It was built in 1916 by Protestant theologian and philosopher Dr Johannes Muller as a space for 'personal freedom and religious life' where guests could think, listen to classical music, dance and just be – surrounded by the rugged beauty of an untouched landscape. However, as National Socialism tightened its grip on Germany in the 1930s, Muller became known for his admiration of Hitler – a past that has hung over the resort's heritage. Current owner, and Dr Johannes's grandson, Dietmar Mueller-Elmau has been determined to confront this history head on rather than try to hide it and has worked to transform the resort into the cultural haven it once promised to be. The resort is split into two buildings: the original structure is the Hideaway, while the Retreat was built later and was completed just before the G7 Summit in 2015. The Retreat rooms are expansive, bright, airy, with long balconies and lots of wood, while the Hideaway has a cosier, more traditional feel (while still being very spacious). Dietmar himself has a fondness for the Far East – an elephant is the symbol for Schloss Elmau and you'll find Asian embroidery throughout – which somehow blends rather seamlessly with the distinctly Bavarian tone. The wellness offering is extensive: six pools (including adults-only, family-friendly and infinity pools) three luxury spas (featuring a Oriental Hamam, Japanese onsen and cold plunge pool), two family spas, and a nature spa on the Ferchenbach Creek with a rustic Finnish sauna. Then there's that impressive yet intimate concert hall, where musicians from across the world are invited to perform. While spoiled for choice with activities, the beauty of the resort for me was its location: it's the perfect jumping off spot to explore the Alps. There's a sports concierge that will equip you with hiking maps, set you up with a bike, and recommend the best spots to experience the mountains. Eschewing an e-bike (a decision I came to regret at moments), I set out on my gravel bike to visit the Schachen Castle. It's a 1,300m climb, but the paths are incredibly well-marked. With a bit of sweat and a lot of pushing I reached my destination. There was a smattering of other visitors, but one of the joys of Schachen is that it can only be reached by bike or foot (a round hike will take roughly eight hours from the Schloss so it's no stroll in the park). And herein lies one of the great beauties of the Bavarian Alps – it's yet to draw the same crowds as the Dolomites and Alps and retains a real sense of tranquility and calm. One morning I climbed through lush meadows for lunch at the cosy Elmauer Alm alpine hut, where I ate Obatzda (a Bavarian soft cheese) spread on a warm pretzel. I spent a sun-drenched afternoon cycling from the Schloss to the idyllic mountain lakes of Ferchensee and Lautersee, where I swam in the crystal clear waters. Munich is the obvious jumping off point for a mountain break, but there are also a smattering of enchanting towns and villages in the region – such as Rosenheim, Regensburg and Würzburg – that offer classic Bavarian architecture, pubs and food (not to mention excellent beer). So are the Bavarian Alps better than the French version? Well, that's impossible to say. Each region and mountain range – like each individual mountain – has its own personality; its own distinct beauty, individual quirks and charms that mean you simply can't compare. But for summer hikes, spas with breathtaking views, and fairytale castles (in whatever form they take), Bavaria's mountains certainly deliver. Annabel stayed in Bavaria as a guest of Schloss Elmau.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
World's tallest Victorian Gothic tower transformed into 4-bed home with stunning panoramic views hits the market in UK
THE world's tallest Victorian Gothic tower, with five floors and a roof terrace, has been transformed into a breathtaking four bed home. Ever wanted to live out your Disney princess fantasy? Well now you can, as the former castle has hit the UK market. 7 7 7 Hadlow Tower, a Grade I listed 175ft property sits six feet taller than Nelson's Column, and was once part of a Romantic Gothic style 18th century castle. It was built by wealthy merchant Walter Barton May in 1838 so he could spy on his estranged wife who left him for a local farmer. The tower was then used as a look out during World War Two, but was saved by Royal painter Bernard Hailstone. During a ferocious storm in 1987, the tower was severely damaged, and fell in to disrepair before it was restored in 2013 with the help of a £4.2 million grant provided by English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Situated in the quaint village of Hadlow, in Tonbridge, Kent, the unique abode can be accessed via a triple-arched Gothic Entrance on the village high street. The castle can be found at the end of a long, winding, private countryside road, next to six additional buildings which have also now be converted into private properties. 7 The owners of these properties, as well as the owner of the tower have access to the communal former castle grounds, including sweeping lawns and a magnificent lake. Hadlow Tower, which is listed on Rightmove for an eye-watering £2,780,000 includes many original Gothic features, including orante mouldings and arched windows. However, the interior has been transformed in to a modern family home, that even has a lift. There's a cinema room, four bathrooms, a private garden and a castellated parapet, with astounding 360 degree views. This European castle was the inspiration for Disney The master bedroom, known as the Rapunzel Room, has its own roof terrace. The 3.45acre grounds boast a croquet lawn and an ornamental boating lake. Although the tower is tucked away, at the end of the lane is the bustling Hadlow high street, featuring a variety of shops, pubs, a library and a hairdressers. In nearby Tonbridge, there are also a number of great schools, and you can catch a train that will arrive in London in just 30-40 minutes. 5 Tips to Get on The Property Ladder Saving for your first property is tough, but it is possible. Here are a few steps for first-time buyers. 1. Cut back on luxuries and start saving Consistent monthly saving is the best way to accumulate enough money to get on the ladder, for a deposit and purchase fees. To do this, you need to take a look at your monthly outgoings and think about what can be cut out - holidays, new clothes, weekly takeaway. Using a savings calculator can help you to establish how long you will need to save for a deposit. Based on your income, you can figure out a realistic amount to save each month. 2. Have a realistic property search Set a budget for the property price you would like to buy, and think realistically about the location and size of your property. While we all may want that house with a view or extra bedroom, can you afford it? 3. Research Help To Buy and Shared Ownership schemes The government has introduced a few ways to help first-time-buyers get on the property ladder and they're great for those on lower incomes or to buy a property in more expensive areas like London. 4. Consider buying with another person Investing with somebody else you know is a sure way to get onto the property ladder. You only need to save half the amount you would otherwise, so you can work towards getting your property sooner. You can invest with a friend, family or partner. Naturally, it is a big step and a huge commitment so be open and honest about what you expect from living together — if you haven't already. 5. Talk to a mortgage broker and get your documents in order A mortgage broker can tell you exactly how much you can borrow for a mortgage, what you will need to pay monthly and in upfront costs. The owner of the property said: "This has been a very exciting and unique home that I have been privileged and proud to own for the past few years. "I and my family have thoroughly enjoyed our time here, including the peaceful and tranquil environment, but my business is taking my abroad so I feel it is time to hand the baton over to new custodians who will appreciate the uniqueness of this amazing place in such an incredible setting." James Mackenzie, head of Strutt & Parker's National Country House Department described the tower as "historically fascinating". He said: "Hadlow Tower had £4.5million invested into it so it is both historically fascinating and brand new. "It has the best of everything with incredible craftsmanship and every modern benefit. "This tower is a masterpiece and we've already had dozens of enquiries about it including foreign buyers." 7 7 7
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘The Gilded Age': How The HBO Drama Created A Castle Fit For A New Duchess
Gladys deserves the mother of all castles after the ordeal she went through in New York City. But production didn't need to go to England to find the perfect home for the new Duchess of Buckingham. Two different estates in Newport, R.I. — along with one in Long Island — served as Sidmouth Castle in the episode titled 'A Different World.' To achieve the opening shot, however, director Deborah Kampmeier relied on an actual pond in England to project the image of Gladys (Taissa Farmiga) and Hector (Ben Lamb) riding a carriage through the estate grounds. More from Deadline 'The Gilded Age' Courts Another Series High Audience With Season 3 Wedding Episode Carrie Coon Talks Emmy Nomination, Future Of 'The Gilded Age' & Whether She'd Return For 'The White Lotus' Season 4 Emmys 2025: Where's My Show? Why Some Of Your Favorites Won't Be Nominated This Year 'We put the visual effect of the carriage in upside down in the water, and then the wide shot of it moving through the countryside. That's England,' said Kampmeier. 'And then as we approach the castle, that is an approach to an estate in Newport. We brought in background actors to converge upon the carriage, and then a big crane goes up and over. We actually built onto what was already there in our visual effects. That's one piece of the puzzle.' The entrance and several of the castle rooms featured in the episode are from the Newport estates, while the sitting room and long hallways are from a mansion in Long Island. 'It is a collage that we use to create this epic castle feeling of a castle, using what we had available to us,' the director said. 'We've used up pretty much every mansion in Newport.' While Gladys is certainly accustomed to living in a large house, her new one has to feel to feel different — and so much worse. 'It was important to feel like she's walking into a very cold, very epic space in which she feels isolated and alone,' said Kampmeier. 'We decided to keep it quite gray, to reflect both a feeling of England since we were not in England and to reflect a feeling of that location as well as the inner life of Gladys … just this gray, isolated, lost girl who's really like a fish out of water.' Directing for The Gilded Age is 'an extravagant experience,' adds Kampmeier, who also helmed episode 2 and the upcoming episode 6. 'This is a show where it's very luxurious to be able to create a really epic shot that is going to stay in the final cut because the audience is asking for it rather than jumping right to a closeup,' said Kampmeier, whose other credits include Outer Range, Star Trek: Picard, FBI: International and Tales of the Walking Dead. 'I do love it.' Best of Deadline Streamer Subscription Prices And Tiers – Everything To Know As Costs Rise And Ads Abound (Hello, Peacock) - Update 'Stick' Release Guide: When Do New Episodes Come Out? 'Stick' Soundtrack: All The Songs You'll Hear In The Apple TV+ Golf Series
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘The Gilded Age': How The HBO Drama Created A Castle Fit For A New Duchess
Gladys deserves the mother of all castles after the ordeal she went through in New York City. But production didn't need to go to England to find the perfect home for the new Duchess of Buckingham. Two different estates in Newport, R.I. — along with one in Long Island — served as Sidmouth Castle in the episode titled 'A Different World.' To achieve the opening shot, however, director Deborah Kampmeier relied on an actual pond in England to project the image of Gladys (Taissa Farmiga) and Hector (Ben Lamb) riding a carriage through the estate grounds. More from Deadline 'The Gilded Age' Courts Another Series High Audience With Season 3 Wedding Episode Carrie Coon Talks Emmy Nomination, Future Of 'The Gilded Age' & Whether She'd Return For 'The White Lotus' Season 4 Emmys 2025: Where's My Show? Why Some Of Your Favorites Won't Be Nominated This Year 'We put the visual effect of the carriage in upside down in the water, and then the wide shot of it moving through the countryside. That's England,' said Kampmeier. 'And then as we approach the castle, that is an approach to an estate in Newport. We brought in background actors to converge upon the carriage, and then a big crane goes up and over. We actually built onto what was already there in our visual effects. That's one piece of the puzzle.' The entrance and several of the castle rooms featured in the episode are from the Newport estates, while the sitting room and long hallways are from a mansion in Long Island. 'It is a collage that we use to create this epic castle feeling of a castle, using what we had available to us,' the director said. 'We've used up pretty much every mansion in Newport.' While Gladys is certainly accustomed to living in a large house, her new one has to feel to feel different — and so much worse. 'It was important to feel like she's walking into a very cold, very epic space in which she feels isolated and alone,' said Kampmeier. 'We decided to keep it quite gray, to reflect both a feeling of England since we were not in England and to reflect a feeling of that location as well as the inner life of Gladys … just this gray, isolated, lost girl who's really like a fish out of water.' Directing for The Gilded Age is 'an extravagant experience,' adds Kampmeier, who also helmed episode 2 and the upcoming episode 6. 'This is a show where it's very luxurious to be able to create a really epic shot that is going to stay in the final cut because the audience is asking for it rather than jumping right to a closeup,' said Kampmeier, whose other credits include Outer Range, Star Trek: Picard, FBI: International and Tales of the Walking Dead. 'I do love it.' Best of Deadline Streamer Subscription Prices And Tiers – Everything To Know As Costs Rise And Ads Abound (Hello, Peacock) - Update 'Stick' Release Guide: When Do New Episodes Come Out? 'Stick' Soundtrack: All The Songs You'll Hear In The Apple TV+ Golf Series
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Inside California's castle of horrors: Millionaire owners' twisted baby factory finally exposed as shocked neighbors break silence
From the outside, the imposing castle-like design and gated exterior made the $4.1 million mansion appear like a fortress. Residents admired it as they walked their dogs through the ritzy Californi a neighborhood of Arcadia - and assumed the family living just enjoyed their privacy.
