I Celebrated My Birthday at a Real Castle!

There's one day a year when every girl has the right to be treated like a princess – her birthday. That's why I like to find something fun each year that allows me to bring out my inner royal. Last year, I was regaled with a wonderful performance of Beauty and the Beast. This year, I decided to branch out and visit a local castle. Since my home castle is no longer within driving distance of any of the kingdoms, I discovered that there is another castle in Twxas that does tours. It didn't hurt that the town of Bellville happens to share the same name as the fantasy kingdom from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella, which I am a huge fan of. Newman's Castle is a hidden gem about two miles away from Austin that gives tours six days a week as well as private events. It isn't a true historical castle as it was completed in 1998, but it is built with 13th-century style medieval architecture.

I did my research in advance and had no issues with my visit, but there are a few things that newcomers should be aware of before planning their trip. Visiting the castle requires reservations, which can be easily accomplished with a quick phone call to Newman's Bakery. They called me the day before to confirm my headcount, and we stopped at the bakery to pay for the tour and get our wristbands. We were given directions to the castle, drove down an unpaved dirt road, and parked in the middle of the woods. If you're a nervous driver, this can be a bit of a harrowing experience, but it also made it feel like an isolated far-off kingdom. Children are welcome at the castle and visitors often bring kids, but it is not a theme park or a playground. Admission gets you a tour and a small lunch, and any other entertainment is based solely on your own explorations. It is not an accessibility-friendly venue for those who need special accommodations as there are steep winding staircases and ladders.

Upon my arrival, I was greeted by some friendly faces who were quick to help with taking photos, answering questions, and cracking jokes about getting locked in the tower and rescued by a brave knight. A nice man named Jeff took on the crown for the opening speech during which I learned some sad news. Mike Newman, the architect and "king" of the castle sadly passed away of a heart attack earlier this year. I knew from my research that he used to lead tours and used the castle as a private residence during its off hours, so I was expecting to meet him there. It was disheartening to learn about his untimely passing, but I appreciate that the castle's employees are still giving tours to share the joy of his labor with the local community. Jeff told us about all the rooms that Mike furnished and gave us a personal tour of the dungeon. It's a fairly small castle with several empty rooms that are unused or just for storage. There was also a lot of dirt, grime, and dead bugs stuck in the corners of the tight staircases, giving more of a gritty medieval feel as opposed to a polished modern fairy tale.

I got quite the workout climbing the winding staircases up and down the castle's towers in a long dress during the summer heat. It was entirely my idea to dress up for this trip, and I was the only person who did so to the delight of one of the little girls who was visiting. Someone asked me if I worked there, and I explained that I'm a blogger. The high towers were my favorite parts of the castle, so it was a little disappointing that the highest one only permitted guests to climb about halfway up before reaching a "Keep Out" sign. The inaccessible portion at the top had a big bell that could be rung by pulling a long rope at the base of the tower. The outer grounds contained some wood-carved medieval weaponry including a cannon, a trebuchet, and some fake wooden swords that kids could use to swing at a log dummy hanging on a chain near the entrance to the towers. There were a few living areas for when Mike resided in the castle including a living room with a TV hidden behind a medieval-looking cabinet, a bedroom with a four-poster canopy bed, and some comfy-looking leather couches offsetting the fancy wooden chairs in the dining hall. There was also some religious flare with a small altar and prayer area.

My visit to Newman's Castle in Bellville, TX, was a unique and enchanting experience that allowed me to embrace my inner princess on my special day. While it may not be a traditional fairy tale castle, its medieval architecture and charming atmosphere made for a unique adventure off the beaten trail. Despite a few unexpected twists, such as the passing of Mike Newman and the castle's structural limitations, the friendly staff and rich history of the castle made for a memorable experience. As I left the castle, I felt grateful for the opportunity to explore this hidden gem and excited to share my discoveries with fellow castle enthusiasts and fairy tale lovers. If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, Newman's Castle is definitely worth a visit – just be sure to make reservations and wear comfortable shoes for the winding staircases!