Clan Rising
Pennsylvania Castle today

England · Still standing

Pennsylvania Castle

Pennsylvania Castle is a Gothic Revival marine mansion on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, built 1797–1800 for John Penn. The building is constructed of Portland stone with embattled parapets, projecting corner turrets and a cylindrical tower, and overlooks Church Ope Cove. It is a Grade II listed building and today functions as a private residence and hire venue.

Recreate this castle →Defend this castle →

Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1800

Its prime

1800

Today

Still standing

As it stood in 1800

What Pennsylvania Castle looked like in its prime.

A white-cream Portland stone rectangular mansion with a crenellated roofline, projecting corner turrets and a round tower; façades punctured by regularly spaced multi-light windows with simple vertical mullions. Low curving garden walls and a broad lawn sit before the entrance side; an adjacent low gatehouse and separate lodges stand at the approach. The house occupies a raised site above a rocky cove, with a terrace and gardens sloping down toward the sea.

Its story

The story of Pennsylvania Castle.

Pennsylvania Castle is a Gothic Revival mansion built between 1797 and 1800 for John Penn, at Wakeham on the Isle of Portland, overlooking Church Ope Cove. It is built of Portland stone, originally a rectangular block, extended in the 20th century, with projecting corner turrets, embattled parapets and a circular tower.

In 1950 the private residence became The Pennsylvania Castle Hotel, which operated into the 1990s before the house reverted to a private home; it was sold again in 2011 for £4 million to a buyer from Australia. Now hired out for functions and events, it is a Grade II listed building, as are the adjacent gatehouse and lodges, in separate ownership, and Portland's most expensive residential property.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1800.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Pennsylvania Castle, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from the drive and forecourtView from Church Ope Cove (sea level)Gatehouse and lodges at the approachClose-up of the circular tower and corner turretsTerraced gardens and retaining wallsBath below the gardens (sea bath)

Build Your Own Castle

Recreate Pennsylvania Castle with AI to explore it.

The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1800, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

Recreate this castle →Defend this castle →

Whose castle

Clans who held Pennsylvania Castle.

The families that held Pennsylvania Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Penn

    Built 1797–1800 for John Penn.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Pennsylvania Castle.

Maiden Castle, EnglandAncient siteMaiden Castle18 km awayThe Tank Museum, EnglandMuseumThe Tank Museum22 km awayCerne Abbas Giant, EnglandAncient siteCerne Abbas Giant31 km away

Questions about Pennsylvania Castle

What is the history of Pennsylvania Castle?

Pennsylvania Castle was built in the late 18th century as a marine mansion for John Penn. Completed in 1800, it later became a hotel in 1950, reverted to a private residence in the 1990s and was sold again in 2011. During the Second World War, Winston Churchill, General Eisenhower and General de Gaulle visited to finalise plans for the Normandy landings.

Why was Pennsylvania Castle built, and what was it used for?

Pennsylvania Castle was built as a marine mansion for John Penn. It overlooks Church Ope Cove and was chosen as a residence after Penn discovered the area during a trip with King George III. Its use later changed from private residence to hotel in 1950, before reverting to a private home in the 1990s and becoming available for functions and events.

Where is Pennsylvania Castle?

Pennsylvania Castle is at Wakeham on the Isle of Portland, Dorset. It overlooks Church Ope Cove, on the coast of England. Portland is its administrative locality.

When was Pennsylvania Castle built?

Pennsylvania Castle was built between 1797 and 1800, placing its construction in the late 18th century. The building was completed in 1800, when Princess Elizabeth officially opened the mansion.

Which family or clan held Pennsylvania Castle?

Pennsylvania Castle was built for the Penn family, specifically for John Penn. He commissioned the mansion between 1797 and 1800 as a marine residence.

What did Pennsylvania Castle look like in its prime?

Pennsylvania Castle is a white-cream Portland stone Gothic Revival mansion with a rectangular form, crenellated roofline, projecting corner turrets and a cylindrical tower. Regular multi-light windows punctuate the façades, while terraces and gardens slope towards the sea above Church Ope Cove. The original rectangular block was extended in the 20th century.

Is Pennsylvania Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Pennsylvania Castle is still standing and intact. It remains a Grade II listed building, constructed of Portland stone. The original rectangular block was extended in the 20th century, with the projecting corner turrets, embattled parapets and circular tower forming part of its present appearance.

Who built Pennsylvania Castle?

Pennsylvania Castle was designed by the architect James Wyatt and commissioned by John Penn. Construction took place between 1797 and 1800, and Princess Elizabeth officially opened the completed mansion in 1800.

Does anyone live at Pennsylvania Castle now?

Pennsylvania Castle is a private residence today and is also hired out for functions and events. It reverted from a hotel to a private home in the 1990s, after operating as The Pennsylvania Castle Hotel from 1950 into the 1990s.

Can you visit Pennsylvania Castle?

Pennsylvania Castle is a private residence rather than a generally open public attraction, although it is hired out for functions and events. It previously operated as The Pennsylvania Castle Hotel from 1950 into the 1990s.

More castles of England

Ewyas Harold Castle, EnglandEwyas Harold CastleRufus Castle, EnglandRufus CastleBowes Castle, EnglandBowes Castle
All castles of England · Castles of Europe · the best castles in Europe · explore the finished reconstructions.