If you’ve been enchanted by the picturesque setting of Alan Carr’s triumphant Traitors win and have fantasized about staying in a castle akin to it, your quest is now over.
While the game-show castle is exclusively for weddings, there exists a remarkable gothic alternative with a fascinating past, once possessed by a prominent American figure and utilized by Winston Churchill for strategic planning during WW2.
Pennsylvania Castle may seem like a novelty, but it lives up to its promise. Erected by the founder of Pennsylvania himself, this impressive property offers stunning views of rugged cliffs and, with a rare opening, could be yours just in time for the holiday season. The Gothic mansion has hosted several Royal weddings and was graced by the presence of the King and Queen in 1800 to celebrate their nuptials after its completion, as per reports from the Express.
Situated between 1797 and 1800 for John Penn, the grandson of William Penn, the castle on Portland was built following his appointment as Governor of the Isle of Portland, desiring a grand coastal residence with a view of Church Ope Cove.
Designed by renowned architect James Wyatt, it stands as a splendid representation of late 18th-century Gothic Revival – featuring turrets, battlements, and romantic coastal magnificence rather than functioning as a genuine military fortress.
During the early 1800s, the castle gained significant popularity and played host to occasional visits from Royal dignitaries during Weymouth’s “sea-bathing” seasons, solidifying Portland’s societal standing.
Legend has it that the strategy for the D-Day invasion was formulated in the castle’s drawing room, where Winston Churchill, General de Gaulle, and General Eisenhower purportedly gathered to plan their route to victory, according to Project Gutenberg.
Pennsylvania Castle’s involvement in the planning of the D-Day landings was commemorated with a grand ceremony on August 22, 1945, as reported by Elysian Estates.
American ambassador John D. Winant unveiled a memorial stone in Victoria Gardens, honoring the 418,585 troops and nearly 144,093 military vehicles that had passed through the location the previous year.
Exclusively available, the estate features nine en-suite bedrooms accommodating up to 20 guests. The nearby dining establishment, The Cove Inn, offers an ideal setting for a relaxed dinner with stunning views of the English Channel.
Their menu showcases fresh seafood and refreshing Dorset ales. For those in search of an evening stroll, numerous cliff-top paths beckon near Church Ope Cove or Chesil Beach – a familiar setting from Ian McEwan’s novel adapted for the screen starring Saoirse Ronan.
For holidaymakers seeking a more adventurous escapade, a climb to the iconic Portland Bill Lighthouse offers panoramic coastal views, while a walk along the clifftops to the Pulpit Rock provides an even more breathtaking ocean vista.