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Every week as we drive along the 840 highway, we can see the rising towers of a castle on the hill. It is startling and strange to see castle towers in the rolling hills of Tennessee. There’s so many questions that come to mind when you see the towers peaking above the trees. Why is there a castle right there? And what does it look like up close? Does someone actually live there?

This is Castle Gwynn. It is one of the most interesting and puzzling sites here in this part of Tennessee. But one month a year, the gates of the castle are opened to the public. Visitors can come and marvel at the beautiful exterior of this replicated 12th century Welsh castle. And while visiting the castle, visitors can also take part in the Tennessee Renaissance Festival.

With such an opportunity, of course we had to go and see it for ourselves.

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Visiting Castle Gwynn

Castle Gwynn has been a life long project of photographer Mike Freeman. This castle is a work in progress, with new additions being added all the time. The idea first came in 1970 as a senior project in an drafting class. Since then, little by little, the dream has become a reality.

Every weekend during May visitors are welcomed to Castle Gwynn. You begin the tour of the grounds in the lobby area just past the raised gate. The man himself greets visitors and talks about his castle project. There is a small gift shop area in the lobby as well. Because this is a private residence, visitors are not allowed to go through the castle.

It was really interesting to see this beautifully created castle and to see the parts that are still in progress. The castle is full of real suits of armor and recreated tapestries. The details within have been made to be as historically accurate as possible. Maybe one day, when it is all complete, visitors can see it in its entirety.

And if you have a castle for a backdrop, then why not have a Renaissance Festival as part of the experience. As the castle became a reality, Freeman helped to organize the Tennessee Renaissance Festival held in the fields below. The festival is celebrating its 39th year and it has grown to be one of the biggest gatherings in Tennessee.

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Renaissance Festival Visitor Information

If you decide to visit the Renaissance Festival at Castle Gwynn, here are some things to know before you go.

• TICKETS: It is less expensive to buy tickets online than at the gate. Tickets include the festival and the bus up to Castle Gwynn. There are no tickets for only the castle.
  • $28/adult, $5/ child age 3-12 (when bought online)
  • Special Events- additional $20-$25/adult
  • Season Pass- $100/adult
  • Get your tickets for the Tennessee Renaissance Festival here
• CASH: Once inside the festival, most everything is cash only. They will have ATMs around, but it is better to bring cash with you.
• THEMES & COSTUMES: Each weekend has its own theme including Viking Victory, Fantasy and Folklore, Pirate Plunder, and Celtic Celebration. Dressing up is encouraged. People get really into their characters, so if you enjoy cosplay you will be in good company.
• TRINKETS: A popular thing is to bring a bunch of inexpensive items and trade them. Everyone gets into the trinket trading from the characters to the visitors.
• QUESTS & GAMES: If you enjoy taking part in a quest around the festival, there are many opportunities. These quests have a separate cost. There is a kid area full of activities and games, but each of these have a separate cost as well.

We really enjoyed the characters and the costumes around the festival. People have put so much time and detail into creating a story and they love to share that story with visitors. They graciously stand for pictures for anyone who asks. It is hard to not get into the spirit of the festival surrounded by such dedication.

Along with character meet and greets, there are entertainment venues set up around the festival. Fairy tales from fairies, pirates singing sailing chanties, and musicians playing the lyre and flute. Be sure to check out the schedule of events to fill your day with humor and song.

But the best part of the festival is the jousting tournament. Knights on horseback compete, gaining favor and support with their section of the crowd. They skillfully threw a javelin into the hay bale and removed the ring of a flag with a sword as the horses sped by. When they donned the metal helmets for the joust, the excitement was palpable throughout the crowd. The knights took four passes at each other, crashing lances against breastplates, trying to knock each other off the horse all to the roaring applause of the crowd.

The joust takes place three times during the day. Be sure to come early to get good seats. It is the most popular event of the Renaissance Festival.

The Renaissance Festival and Castle Gwynn was a fun and fanciful way to spend a day. We found ourselves caught up in the stories, dreams, and ideas of others in a vibrant display of creativity. And seeing the castle in the trees up close was the icing on the cake.

Thanks for coming along today on this visit to Castle Gwynn and the Tennessee Renaissance Festival. May you build your dreams of a castle on the hill.

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