Clayshire Castle: Indiana’s Medieval Getaway
Surrounded by the quiet rolling fields of rural Indiana, Clayshire Castle in Bowling Green offers guests a uniquely enchanting escape—a stone-built castle with turrets, medieval gardens, and authentic period décor. Built as both a personal passion project and an operating bed and breakfast, Clayshire Castle transports visitors into a storybook setting without leaving the Midwest. Combining comfort, whimsy, and detailed historic theming, it’s a true hidden gem that feels centuries away from the everyday. The castle’s impressive stone façade, complete with crenellated battlements and flying buttresses, creates an authentic medieval atmosphere that immediately captivates visitors approaching the property.
A Modern-Day Castle Experience
Constructed on 120 acres, Clayshire Castle features five guest rooms across three levels, each themed to capture a different element of medieval or fantasy lore. From the grand stone entryway and soaring chandeliers of the Great Hall to rooms like the Enchanted Forest or Tapestry Room, the castle is painstakingly designed for a deeply immersive stay. Spaces are filled with antique furniture, stained glass, plush textiles, and whimsical details, creating magic for guests of all ages.
The construction of Clayshire Castle was a labor of love that took several years to complete. The owners sourced authentic materials wherever possible, including reclaimed stone, hand-forged ironwork, and period-appropriate fixtures. The attention to detail extends to every corner of the property, from the hand-painted murals depicting medieval scenes to the carefully selected tapestries that adorn the walls. Each room tells a story, whether through its themed décor or the carefully chosen artifacts that transport guests to another time and place.
Staying Like Royalty
Each suite is appointed with a private bath—some with soaking tubs or fireplaces—and modern comforts blend seamlessly with medieval styling. Amenities include a lounge with movies, board games, snacks, a kitchenette for guest use, and a hearty, gourmet breakfast served in the castle’s sunny dining room. In the Tournament Room, wheelchair accessibility makes the experience available for everyone. For special events, guests can even rent the entire property, perfect for weddings, reunions, or themed parties.
The rooms themselves are works of art, each designed to evoke a different aspect of medieval life. The King Arthur Suite features a massive four-poster bed draped in rich velvet, while the Guinevere Room offers feminine touches with delicate linens and romantic lighting. Modern amenities are cleverly disguised or integrated into the medieval theme—flat-screen televisions are hidden behind tapestries, and contemporary lighting is designed to mimic torches and candles. Climate control, high-speed internet, and premium bedding ensure that guests enjoy contemporary comfort within their medieval fantasy.
Embracing Medieval Play
A visit to Clayshire Castle is more than just a night’s stay. Guests can don costumes from an extensive wardrobe collection, try their hand at lawn chess or archery, unwind in the outdoor cedar hot tub, or hike trails circling the castle’s private lake and hedge maze. Each September, the castle hosts a lively medieval fair with entertainment, food, artisans, and mock jousts. Indoors, the Great Hall hosts intimate concerts and special dinners that deepen the sense of living history.
The property’s entertainment options are designed to immerse guests fully in the medieval experience. The archery range features traditional longbows and targets, while the lawn chess set uses pieces nearly three feet tall. The hedge maze, planted with careful attention to medieval garden design, provides both adventure and tranquil spots for reflection. The private lake offers fishing, kayaking, and peaceful walks along its shores, where guests might encounter the resident swans that add to the fairy-tale atmosphere.
Grounds and Gardens: A Medieval Landscape
The castle’s gardens are meticulously maintained to reflect medieval horticultural traditions. Herb gardens feature plants that would have been common in castle kitchens and apothecaries of the Middle Ages, while flower beds showcase varieties known to medieval gardeners. Stone pathways wind through the grounds, leading to hidden alcoves with benches where guests can sit and contemplate the peaceful countryside. The property includes a working drawbridge over a small moat, complete with koi fish that add movement and life to the water features.
Seasonal changes transform the property throughout the year. Spring brings blooming fruit trees and early flowers that carpet the meadows in color. Summer sees the gardens in full bloom, with lavender, roses, and other fragrant plants filling the air with medieval scents. Autumn transforms the grounds into a tapestry of gold and red leaves, while winter brings a quiet beauty that makes the castle feel like a scene from a fairy tale, especially when dusted with snow.
Personal Touches and Family Ownership
Clayshire Castle is run by its founders, who built the property out of a love of medieval times and a desire to create a welcoming retreat unlike any other in Indiana. Their hospitality is felt in every detail, from personalized tour suggestions to afternoon tea and tales of castle construction. The castle is equally popular as a romantic getaway, family adventure, or simply a peaceful retreat—where quiet walks and cozy fireside evenings are just as memorable as masquerade banquets.
The owners’ passion for medieval history and culture infuses every aspect of the guest experience. They are knowledgeable guides who can share stories about the historical periods that inspired various rooms and features. Their commitment to authenticity extends to the food served at the castle, with breakfast featuring recipes inspired by medieval cuisine but adapted for modern tastes. Special themed dinners occasionally feature period-appropriate entertainment, creating memorable experiences that guests treasure long after their stay.
Planning Your Royal Escape
Located near Bowling Green in western Indiana, Clayshire Castle is just over an hour from Indianapolis but feels a world away. Reservations are recommended, especially during the popular fair in late September or for private events. The grounds are meticulously maintained for year-round beauty, with abundant wildflowers in spring and brilliant leaves in autumn. Whether staying overnight or attending a special event, every guest leaves with memories—and photos—of a castle experience that’s both playful and luxurious.
The castle offers various packages to enhance the medieval experience, including romantic getaways complete with champagne and castle tours, family adventures with special activities for children, and themed weekends that might focus on Arthurian legend or Renaissance culture. Corporate retreats and small conferences can also be accommodated in the castle’s unique setting, providing an unforgettable backdrop for business meetings and team-building activities.
Why Clayshire Castle Is Unforgettable
Blending historic inspiration with modern hospitality, Clayshire Castle is proof that fairytales can come true—in the most unexpected places. For those searching for Indiana’s most whimsical escape, this castle promises enchantment, adventure, and the chance to live like royalty, if only for a day or two. The combination of authentic medieval atmosphere, modern comfort, and genuine hospitality creates an experience that appeals to couples seeking romance, families wanting adventure, and anyone with a love of history and fantasy brought to life.
