Who doesn’t love the idea of a Bed and Breakfast getaway to a Castle? Looking for romance? Castle! Looking for fantasy? Castle! Looking for a family destination? Castle! Looking for history? Castle! The concept has a broad appeal.
Jim and Pam Reed, owners of Ravenwood Castle in New Plymouth, Ohio go out of their way to satisfy everyone that might be drawn to a castle venue. With the help of their reliable castle steward, Steve Waldron, they give their guests a royal welcome.
I had a long drive and arrived after sunset. The entrance looked a little creepy as I approached but it was a delicious and exciting kind of creepy. Once inside, I found a welcoming fire glowing in the great hall and Steve Waldron, the castle steward greeted me warmly and literally provided me with the keys to the castle (and to my room.) Then he showed me where I could help myself to warm beverages. Coffee and tea service was always available.
There are so many delicious details it was easy to get swept up in the fantasy. But it’s not a plastic Disney-style fantasy. It’s an earthy and realistic fantasy. I can see the appeal for history buffs and literary fans. Case in point: Ravenwood is hosting a “convention of ice and fire” for fans of the George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones series. Other literary events include regular murder-mystery weekends written and produced by a local author and performed with castle guests. If you are interested in one of these events, book early! They are incredibly popular and fill quickly. If it’s romance you are after, come to the castle next month for St. Valentine’s. The castle kitchens are preparing prime rib and the group Silent Lion will be performing romantic, Celtic music.
My own visit included the literary event “Alice in Ravenland” which, as you would expect, involved family activities and performances from the Lewis Carroll classic. Which brings me to another asset of Ravenwood, the players of Rough Magic. The Rough Magic theatre troupe are frequent performers at Ravenwood Castle. They impersonated royals at a Tudor Christmas madrigal feast in December. Then they brought Alice and all her Wonderland friends to vivid life during my stay with my niece.
Ravenwood Castle is also a gamer’s paradise. In the basement is a game room/library where you and your group of role playing game players can book a gaming getaway. Is your RPG group well established? then choose the Ravenwood Raid and enjoy exclusive use of the game room. Pass through the pub on your way to get into character and enjoy an oatmeal stout. Are you a new or solo gamer? Maybe your group is very small? Ravenwood also hosts all-inclusive LFG weekends. (Looking for Group) where you can meet new gamers, use Ravenwood’s library of role playing games or try your skills at creating one.
Jim and Pam Reed, owners (or perhaps we should call them Lord and Lady) of Ravenwood Castle, are such game enthusiasts, they are hosting a gaming convention in the castle’s beautiful Great Hall. This first annual Ravencon will include board games, role playing games and even active games. This special event will benefit Child’s Play, a charity that provides diversion and entertainment for kids in children’s hospitals.
Jim and Pam have made Ravenwood Castle a warm and special place for families, a refuge for lovers and lovers of high fantasy, and a welcoming space for gaming enthusiasts. It is officially on my list of favorite places to go to celebrate all things geek.
(photos by Angie Hilbert)