Larnach Castle - 135 Years
In 2006, Larnach Castle celebrated 135 years as a Dunedin landmark.
From rich man's showplace to billet for soldiers, from politicians retreat to mental asylum, the castle has certainly withstood the rigours of time & the vagaries of fate. Now proudly restored to its former glory, Larnach Castle still stands commandingly above the Otago Peninsula.
Much has been written on the tragic & scandalous history of William Larnach and his family, and, the story of their castle has just about as many twists and turns.
Building began in 1871. This was to be Larnach's dream home, built for his beloved first wife, Eliza, who unfortunately died before it was finished - so long did the building take!
The site was supposedly chosen when Larnach and his son Donald went out riding. Donald was asked to climb trees to ascertain which place on the Peninsula had the best views. You can certainly see today why they built here - spectacular panoramic views from 1000 feet above sea level.
Only the best would do for Larnach and no expense was spared in the building of his castle. Employing 200 workmen for 3 years was only the beginning..... a further 12 years was spent by master craftsmen embellishing the interior. Altogether the princely sum of 125,000 pounds was spent on this wonderful building.
The materials were the finest sourced from the world over. Marble from Italy , tiles from England , glass from Venice & France, slate from Wales , at least 32 different woods, both exotic and native were used throughout the castle.
Special features of the castle include the Georgian hanging staircase - the only one in the Southern Hemisphere, a one tonne marble bath that took six horses and twelve men to haul up the 1000 foot hill, fabulous carved ceilings - one of which took three men six and a half years to carve, a priceless Venetian glass wall with panels representing England, Ireland, Scotland and New Zealand.... The Castle is truly a testament to the skill of the Victorian craftsmen.
In the castle's heyday 46 servants were employed to service and clean the castle & grounds. It was a busy country mansion with guests ranging from the countries top politicians to the children's school friends abuzz with happenings.
Sadly, Larnach's monument to his wealth, ego and position was about to fall on harder times. One could imagine that Larnach had set himself up to found a dynasty, ruling from his hilltop castle. Unfortunately a scandal involving his third wife and second son forced him to take his life in Wellington 's parliament buildings and the downfall of his family & castle soon followed.
Larnach had had the foresight to write a will, but not to sign it. His estate became the basis of a nasty court battle between members of his family, his children eventually winning.
The castle was stripped of its furniture and fittings and everything was auctioned, scattered far and wide. For many years the Castle became a sort of white elephant used at various times for a nuns retreat, a children's holiday camp, a mental asylum for 10 years, a hospital for shell-shocked soldiers and the influenza victims. In 1927 Mr & Mrs Purdie bought the Castle and restored it filling it with furniture and running an antique salesroom in the ballroom. It was also used as a cabaret while the Purdies were overseas. Owing to ill health the Purdies were forced to sell the Castle in 1939. There was no interest in purchasing the building and Mr Purdie contemplated demolishing the building and selling the material.
The castle went to auction in 1940 selling for 1250 pounds. It was bought on impulse by Mr Armstrong, who found he really didn't want to be owner of this large building and sold it again in 1941 for 1500 pounds to Mrs Stedman.
Over 80 American soldiers from the signal corps were billeted here during WWII.
The Castle again passed through a few hands becoming more and more run down as owners struggled with the huge problems of maintaining such a building.
In 1967, the Barker family and present owners, bought the castle. Margaret Barker remembers the dreadful state the buildings and grounds were in. The ballroom had been used to pen sheep, the castle was empty of furniture, leaking like a sieve, in a terrible state of disrepair and the grounds were very overgrown. When they bought the property many people thought (and told them) that they were crazy to take on such a mammoth, and to them, and apparently impossible task.
38 years later the castle is once again Dunedin 's premier landmark, hosting guests from all over the world.
From a run down building, the family has created a diversified business, saved a major part of Dunedin 's heritage, and contributed a huge amount to the local tourism industry.
Visitors can enjoy exploring the castle and its beautiful gardens, now an attraction in their own right. In 2004, the gardens were assessed as an NZGT “ Garden of National Significance ”. Original antiques grace the building and the family has amassed a unique collection of New Zealand furniture. A lodge with individually decorated theme rooms has been built so that guests may stay on the property, waking up to spectacular views and having the chance to dine in Larnach Castle 's dining room. The stables have been restored and house bedrooms with share bathrooms. Guests can experience sleeping quarters much more comfortable than Larnach's stable boys did 134 years ago.
The ballroom is again host to many glittering occasions. Conference dinners with Victorian or Scottish themes, grand balls, and celebrations of landmark events all take place in this beautiful venue. Romantic weddings in such a spectacular setting are popular.
The Barker family, Margaret, her children Norcombe & Sophie, and grandchild Charlotte celebrated 39 years at the Castle in 2006. They've lived there longer than the original Larnach family and will continue to lavish the care and attention that this wonderful building deserves. As Margaret Barker says "The castle has a fate of its own and we are mere caretakers in the meantime"
Many projects are still being planned and Larnach Castle is being continuously upgraded to provide something new for return visitors.
Larnach Castle and its beautiful gardens, Summer 2006 (photo by Chris Common)