If you’ve been enchanted by the picturesque setting of Alan Carr’s triumphant Traitors victory and have imagined yourself in a castle like it, then your quest concludes here.
While the game-show castle is exclusively for weddings, there is an impressive gothic substitute with a fascinating history, once possessed by a prominent American figure and utilized by Winston Churchill for strategic planning during WW2.
Pennsylvania Castle may sound whimsical, but it lives up to its name. Built by the founder of Pennsylvania himself, this grand estate offers stunning views of rugged cliffs and, with a rare vacancy, could be yours just in time for the holiday season. The Gothic manor has hosted several Royal weddings and was graced by the presence of the King and Queen in 1800 to commemorate their nuptials upon its completion, as per reports from the Express.
Situated between 1797 and 1800 for John Penn, grandson of William Penn, the creator of Pennsylvania, the castle on Portland was established after he was appointed Governor of the Isle of Portland and desired a majestic coastal abode overlooking Church Ope Cove.
Architected by the renowned James Wyatt, it stands as a splendid representation of late 18th Century Gothic Revival – adorned with turrets, battlements, and romantic coastal splendor rather than serving as a functional military fortification.
During the early 1800s, the castle rose to prominence and welcomed occasional visits from Royal dignitaries during Weymouth’s “sea-bathing” seasons, solidifying Portland’s social standing.
Legend has it that the strategy for the D-Day invasion was conceived in the castle’s drawing room, where Winston Churchill, General de Gaulle, and General Eisenhower purportedly gathered to plan their route to victory, as recounted by Project Gutenberg.
Pennsylvania Castle’s contribution to planning the D-Day landings was commemorated with a grand ceremony on August 22, 1945, as documented by Elysian Estates.
American ambassador John D. Winant unveiled a commemorative stone in Victoria Gardens, honoring the 418,585 troops and nearly 144,093 military vehicles that passed through the location the preceding year.
Exclusively available, the estate features nine en-suite bedrooms accommodating up to 20 guests. The nearby dining spot, The Cove Inn, offers a perfect setting for a relaxed dinner with breathtaking views of the English Channel.
Their menu showcases fresh seafood and local Dorset ales. For those interested in an evening stroll, numerous cliff-top trails near Church Ope Cove or Chesil Beach await, locations that may be familiar from Ian McEwan’s novel adapted for the screen starring Saoirse Ronan.
For vacationers seeking a more adventurous outing, you can climb the iconic Portland Bill Lighthouse for panoramic coastal views and take a walk along the clifftops to Pulpit Rock for an even more stunning vista of the sea.