Explore the 5 castles of Bucks County, and a bonus castle nearby

JD Mullane, Bucks County Courier Times
·4 min read

If you've wondered what it would be like to live in or tour a castle, Bucks County has several to explore to make you feel like the lady or lord of the manor.

These grand estates, many with grounds to discover around them, are open to the public. Now through the end of the year is a great time to visit with special events and seasonal tours. You could spend a weekend or two visiting and touring each.

Good news: four are in Doylestown, a town with plenty of shops, restaurants and more to go with your castle tour.

Mercer Museum, 84 S. Pine Street, Doylestown

Lunch on the lawn of the Mercer Museum. If you want the spooky old castle feeling, take a tour.
Lunch on the lawn of the Mercer Museum. If you want the spooky old castle feeling, take a tour.

Henry Chapman Mercer (1856-1930), archaeologist, anthropologist, ceramist, scholar and antiquarian, built this cast concrete castle in 1916. He was enamored of Medieval architecture of abbeys and monasteries.

It houses a world-class collection of pre-industrial age tools, from carriages to items commonly found in American homes when most of us still lived on farms and small towns. While night tours are especially cool, touring the museum on any day will absorb you in a largely forgotten world that your great-great-great grandparents knew well. Also, the vampire killing kit is not to be missed.

Enjoy life 5 places to have lunch outside in Lower Bucks County

Great road trips These Bucks County Sunday destinations are worth the gas money

Moravian Pottery and Tile Works,130 E. Swamp Road, Doylestown

A raven overlooks the Tile Works in Doylestown, one of give castles in Bucks County.
A raven overlooks the Tile Works in Doylestown, one of give castles in Bucks County.

Built in 1912 by Henry Mercer, and owned by Bucks County, it produces individually hand-made tiles found only in Bucks County with clay from Lake Towhee.

The designs depict birds, trees and flowers, Native Americans, Biblical stories and even Washington Crossing the Delaware. Tours are available for $10, but some discounts are available. Bring cash, since you'll probably leave with a tile or two.

More: Waking the dragon: New director hopes to restore Moravian Tile Works' fiery renown

Fonthill castle, 525 E. Court Street, Doylestown

Fonthill was built by Henry Chapman Mercer as his residence, but its castle-like quality puts it on the list of 5 castles of Bucks County.
Fonthill was built by Henry Chapman Mercer as his residence, but its castle-like quality puts it on the list of 5 castles of Bucks County.

The reinforced concrete castle was built by Henry Mercer as his private residence, but also to hold his collection of handmade tiles and prints. (He was a booster for the Arts and Crafts Movement). There are 44 rooms, more than 200 windows and 18 fireplaces.

Tours are available, but steep stairs and narrow passages may prove difficult for some visitors.

Shakespeare at Fonthill Castle
Shakespeare at Fonthill Castle

More: What's next for Fonthill Castle's 'Little House in the Woods'? Look inside for the first time in decades

More: Fonthill Castle grounds to be enhanced. Here's the conceptual plan

More: How the woods around Fonthill Castle could transform the Doylestown landmark

Sand Castle Winery, 755 River Road, Erwinna

Sand Castle Winery in Erwinna is among Bucks County's five castles that you can visit and tour.
Sand Castle Winery in Erwinna is among Bucks County's five castles that you can visit and tour.

Designed to look like a fortress in Bratslavia, Sand Castle Winery's 72-acres on a bluff near the Delaware River is a great way to spend an autumn afternoon, or any afternoon. The place boasts a blend of Slovakian wine-making with the soils of Upper Bucks County, and includes on its list Cabernet, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Noir. Beautiful, peaceful setting.

Kids Castle, Central Park, 425 Wells Road, Doylestown

Kids' Castle in Central Park, Doylestown is really everything a little kid with a great imagination could want, even a pirate ship.
Kids' Castle in Central Park, Doylestown is really everything a little kid with a great imagination could want, even a pirate ship.

This remarkable eight-story castle/playground designed with the help of children opened in June 1997 in Doylestown's Central Park. It's a kid wonderland of swings, slides and even a pirate ship. It's free, too, and there are designated areas for tots (age 2-5) and older kids 6-12. Sorry, mom and dad, adults aren't allowed to play.

The castle nearby: Glencairn Museum, 1001 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn

Built as a private residence by Raymond Pitcairn in the 1930s, "Glencairn" in Bryn Athyn is medieval in appearance, especially beneath overcast skies. Today, it's a museum that has fine religious artifacts.
Built as a private residence by Raymond Pitcairn in the 1930s, "Glencairn" in Bryn Athyn is medieval in appearance, especially beneath overcast skies. Today, it's a museum that has fine religious artifacts.

Ok, so this one isn't in Bucks County, but it's close in Bryn Athyn, Montgmery County, and is worth the ride to tour the place.

The castle-like residence was designed by Raymond Pitcairn (1885-1966) son of PPG Industries founder John Pitcairn. It took 11 years to build. Pitcairn was a lawyer and art collector, with an affinity for ancient and Medieval art work. A private residence until 1979, it houses religious art, and its collections include ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, medieval Christian, Islamic, Asian and American Indian art and artifacts.

The house has been closed to the public for two years as it underwent major renovations. It reopens Nov. 24, 2023 with its always spectacular Christmas display of Nativity sets from around the world. Tickets will be available Sept. 5th. A must see.

JD Mullane can be reached at 215-949-5745 or at jmullane at couriertimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County castles near me to explore