Exploring Gillette Castle in East Haddam, Connecticut
It might look more like a medieval sand sculpture, but the quirky Gillette Castle in East Haddam, CT offers the perfect day trip with lovely river views.
Did you ever turn a corner and suddenly feel like you’ve driven off the map? Discovered your own little patch of unspoiled turf? That’s how it feels to stumble across Gillette Castle in East Haddam, Connecticut, a Gaudi-like stone castle teetering on the tip-top of a precipice.
Gillette Castle feels slightly off the map. Photo Credit: Annie GravesGillette Castle in East Haddam, CT. Photo Credit: Annie Graves
You can get there by taking the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry, a “historical landmark” that’s been operating for over 200 years (it was used during the American Revolution), and is definitely the most fun way to reach Gillette Castle.
See the castle in the distance? Photo Credit: Annie Graves
A budget-travel ferry ride later, with the castle looming ever nearer, we debarked the Selden III after our 5-minute boat trip and began the vertiginous ascent (there’s a driving road, too, but the climb is fun, and over quickly).
The castle is amazing. From a distance, it looks like a medieval sand castle, dribbled on top of a cliff.
Gillette Castle looks more like someone dribbled sand. Photo Credit: Annie Graves
Up close, it’s a handmade work of art, with no uniformity, and plenty of crooked lines and unmatched stones. It jigs and jags and meanders and soars.
I could go on… Photo Credit: Annie Graves
It’s living and breathing, and speaking of breath, the views of the Connecticut River from the terrace will certainly take it away.
Nice view. Photo Credit: Annie Graves
The story of the castle is almost as good as its looks.
See the cats on top? Photo Credit: Annie Graves
It was designed and built by William Gillette in 1914, who portrayed Sherlock Holmes on stage for over 30 years. An inventor as well, he tinkered with the insides as much as the outsides, designing most of its contents, and taking 25 years to complete the 24-room mansion, raised from local fieldstone.
A Gaudi moment… Photo Credit: Annie Graves
With no heirs, his will stipulated that the estate could not go to a “blithering sap-head who has no conception of where he is or with what surrounded.” The state took over the property in 1943—there are hiking trails encircling the castle like webs of time.
A definite off-the-map day….
Where are we, Dorothy? Photo Credit: Annie Graves
Have you ever explored Gillette Castle?
Gillette Castle State Park. 67 River Road, East Haddam. 860-526-2336; www.ct.govThis post was first published in 2013 and has been updated.
Living in southeastern Connecticut, my husband and I take visitors to Gillette Castle and Chester, using the ferry. We also include nearby East Haddam (home of Goodspeed) and the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat trip. It makes for a full day of adventure.
Growing up in this area I spent many hours exploring this gem. Moving about 1/2 hour away to Preston another rural area, I now own #Roseledge County Inn and Farm Shoppe, and Gillettes Castle is one of my favorite places to send guests!
I am always interested in knowing if these lovely areas are handicap accessible. I use a scooter to get around so can only go where that is able to maneuver. Can y ou let me know please if that is possible for the Castle tour. Thank you.
My father was an over night guest of Gillette’s when the constructing the rail road was taking place.
Apparently one evening there was quite the electrical storm raging.
Dad remarked how the lightning eliminated and danced about the room through the small windows as he and his host enjoyed after dinner drinks by that huge fireplace.
As a child in the 50’s we visited the castle and dad showed me the guest quarters he used.
Lived near the castle back in the early to mid 70’s and visited often went back to see it again the late 90’s (I think) but couldn’t go on the tour as some work was being done on the castle at that time – wonderful place to visit
Living in southeastern Connecticut, my husband and I take visitors to Gillette Castle and Chester, using the ferry. We also include nearby East Haddam (home of Goodspeed) and the Essex Steam Train and Riverboat trip. It makes for a full day of adventure.
Growing up in this area I spent many hours exploring this gem. Moving about 1/2 hour away to Preston another rural area, I now own #Roseledge County Inn and Farm Shoppe, and Gillettes Castle is one of my favorite places to send guests!
I am always interested in knowing if these lovely areas are handicap accessible. I use a scooter to get around so can only go where that is able to maneuver. Can y ou let me know please if that is possible for the Castle tour. Thank you.
My father was an over night guest of Gillette’s when the constructing the rail road was taking place.
Apparently one evening there was quite the electrical storm raging.
Dad remarked how the lightning eliminated and danced about the room through the small windows as he and his host enjoyed after dinner drinks by that huge fireplace.
As a child in the 50’s we visited the castle and dad showed me the guest quarters he used.
Lived near the castle back in the early to mid 70’s and visited often went back to see it again the late 90’s (I think) but couldn’t go on the tour as some work was being done on the castle at that time – wonderful place to visit