A Day at NH's Castle in the Clouds
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A visit to New Hampshire’s Castle in the Clouds includes great indoor and outdoor family activities. Overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Mountains in Moultonborough, the 5500-acre estate has stunning natural scenery and grounds. Onsite there is a 16-room mansion to explore, 28 miles of hiking trails, a pond of brook trout to feed, and many special tours and programs.
Maintained by the Castle Preservation Society, the property offers a relaxing, educational day trip experience with enough activities to keep everyone interested – young and old alike.
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DAY TRIP TIPS:
Hours & Admission: Lucknow Mansion is open seasonally May to September (with some Christmas special events). It’s best to view the site’s calendar when planning your visit. Opening hours and activities are amended for weddings and other events. Visit the estate’s website for the most up-to-date information at https://www.castleintheclouds.org/hours-admission/.
Regular admission includes the Carriage House Exhibition Hall, a trolley ride to the mansion, a self-guided tour of the Lucknow Mansion, and access to Shannon Pond and Meadow. There are additional charges for a Garden Tour and 45-minute Basement Tour (to learn about the inner workings of the historic mansion). Access to the hiking trails is free.
Families with Children: The property provides a nice introduction to the concept of visiting a museum. The estate provides a “My Castle Adventure” handout for caregivers to use during the mansion tour; suggested for children K – 2. The tour is self-guided and families can go their own pace. Note: rooms are roped off and there is no touching or interactive play.
Children will enjoy the trolley ride to and from the mansion, feeding the trout in the pond, running through the meadow, and short hikes on the surrounding trails. WJT Opinion: Best suited for children 6 and up. Strollers and backpack baby carriers are not allowed within the mansion.
Special Programs & Activities: There are car shows, music and dinner nights, Christmas programs, guided hikes, and other special events to enjoy. Visit the estate’s website for the most up-to-date information at https://www.castleintheclouds.org/hours-admission/
Hiking: The Castle in the Clouds Conservation Area offers free hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing over a 30-mile trail / carriage road system. There is access to the network via the Castle’s main entrance, or off of Ossipee Park Road off of NH Rt. 171 (where there is a hiker’s parking lot).
The Brook Walk is a picturesque .5-mile trail that passes 7 waterfalls. It is accessed from the café by Shannon Pond. Note that it is short, but has some steep sections.
DAY TRIP ITINERARY
Take the main entrance scenic road (455 Old Mountain Road, Moultonborough, NH) to the parking lot and admission booth.
Carriage House Exhibit Gallery: The gallery features images and memorabilia from the original owner’s shoe manufacturing career. It highlights the production strategies that made his fortune and the shoe machinery war that ended his career.
Trolley Ride: Board a trolley for a fun trip up the winding carriage road that leads to Lucknow Mansion.
Lucknow Mansion: The 16-room “Castle in the Clouds” is a 1914 Arts & Crafts marvel. On the self-guided tour, you will learn about the lives of original owner’s, Thomas and Olive Plant, as well as the mansion’s construction. You will tour most areas of the 1st and 2nd floors.
Plan to take pictures of your group on the lawn of the veranda outside of the Main Hall where the vistas of Lake Winnipesaukee and the Ossipee Mountains are stunning.
Shannon Pond & Meadow / Brook Walk Trail: After taking the trolley back down to the Carriage House, walk to Shannon Pond and Meadow. Find the entrance to the Brook Walk Trail and take the 1-mile round trip hike past 7-waterfalls.
After returning to Shannon Pond, buy some fish food and watch the fat brook trout leap from the stocked pond. Enjoy a picnic in the meadow and / or let the little ones run off some energy.
Have fun, Laura and Randy
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