Fonthill Castle at Christmas: Everything You Need to Know

Fonthill Castle is one of the most unique places to visit in Bucks County. Although it is fun year-round, we especially love visiting during the holidays!

There is nothing like Fonthill Castle at Christmas, with the dozen decorated trees, all with different themes. It’s one of our favorite holiday activities, especially visiting at night!

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Brief History of Fonthill Castle

Fonthill Castle, home of Henry Chapman Mercer, was built between 1908 and 1912. The poured-concrete structure was the first of Mercer’s three landmark buildings in Doylestown and blends elements of Medieval, Gothic, and Byzantine architecture. It also features Mercer’s gorgeous Moravian tiles throughout the building (on the floors, walls, and even ceilings!).

Now, Fonthill is a National Historic Landmark and welcomes more than 30,000 visitors annually from across the country and around the world. Its unique architecture and history have earned it national recognition, including features in “America’s Castles” and a major preservation award on its 100th anniversary.

What to Know Before Your Visit to Fonthill Castle

Location and Parking

Fonthill Castle is located in the northeastern area of Doylestown. Although there is a gorgeous tree-lined driveway from E Court Street, the best way to access the parking lot is via Swamp Road.

Visitor Center

Before you head inside the castle, you’ll have to stop by the Visitor Center to check in. Here, you’ll find an extra decorated tree, restrooms, and a gift shop. Plus, there is a small display sharing the history of Fonthill and Henry Mercer.

Don’t forget to arrive about 10 minutes before your reserved tour time!

Inside the Castle

Fonthill Castle is a unique property! And with it comes some interesting features inside the home, including stairs and passageways.

While you are touring Fonthill, you’ll have to climb and descend several sets of stairs. They are all made of concrete and are over 100 years old, so they can be uneven in places; watch your step and hold onto the available railings.

Also, several doorways and passages are narrower than typical hallways and doorways in modern homes.

Hidden Pickle

Each Christmas tree at Fonthill Castle has a green pickle ornament hiding in plain sight! Take the time to find it during your visit (but don’t ruin it for other guests by pointing it out – something I have to remind the kids each time we visit!).

Holidays at Fonthill Castle: Three Ways to Visit

When you visit Fonthill Castle at Christmas, you have a few different options.

Fonthill Castle Holiday Daily Tours

You can enjoy the gorgeous Christmas trees at Fonthill during a standard guided tour of the home. The Holiday Daily Tours share the home’s history and some fun stories about Henry Mercer. The tour is about an hour long and will take you by all of the fantastic trees. It’s perfect for a first-time visitor to Fonthill!

Keep in mind, although you will see the Christmas trees, the lights are typically not on during the daily tours.

Holiday Lights Meander Days

One of our favorite holiday activites is the Holiday Lights Meander at Fonthill. We’ve visited enough times that we don’t need the formal tour, so this is the perfect option for us to see the trees!

Visitors walk a pre-determined path through the castle to see each of the dozen decorated trees. Docents are located in each room to answer any questions and share some tidbits about the room or Mercer himself.

Holiday Evening Tours at Fonthill Castle

Similar to the daytime tours, the Holiday Evening Tours at Fonthill are a guided 45-minute tour of the historic home. Guides will share some history about the castle and also some fun facts about Henry Mercer.

What makes this tour more special than daytime tours is that the tree lights are on and glowing!