Turreted fairytale home in New Zealand inspired by Cardiff’s Castell Coch

Turrets and towers, slit windows and a dungeon – these two buildings are thousands of miles apart but are forever linked

There’s a stunning dream home nestled by the water on the other side of the world that is proud of its Welsh roots, even if the castle that inspired its design is thousands of miles away.

The first indication that this gorgeous house in Okiato on the banks of the Bay of Islands on New Zealand’s North Island is a unique dwelling, which might have also confused local residents too, is its house name, proudly bearing the words Castell Bach, which we know as being small or little castle.

But that’s not where the intrigue stops because the design of this gorgeous house by the water is based on the widely known and much-loved Welsh fairytale castle. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here.

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Welsh architect Martyn Evans, who designed Castell Bach, had spent many wonderful childhood days in and around Castell Coch and his love for the pretty red-tinged castle nestled into the wooded hillside above Cardiff never left him, proving you can leave Wales but Wales never leaves you.

Anyone who has ever visited Castell Coch, who has wandered up the steep driveway to see its solid stone turret topped towers appear through the trees of Fforest Fawr, will understand Martyn’s obsession; t is an enchanting and captivating building that oozes history as well as a unique fairytale Gothic-revivial design, even though the current structure only dates back to 1875.

Now owned by Cadw, the historic environment service of the Welsh government, the current Grade I structure was built on the site of a medieval castle built by the de Clares dynasty as mainly a hunting lodge and was probably partly destroyed in the Welsh rebellion in Glamorgan of 1316 and remained a ruin for centuries.

It was then rebuilt by the third Marquess of Bute and designed by renown architect William Burgess, who also designed much of Cardiff Castle. Work began on the Gothic-revival style Castell Coch in 1875 with the exterior completed by 1879 but the interiors continued to be constructed after Burgess’ death in 1881, according to Cadw.

Having lavished huge sums on it neither Gilbert de Clare nor the Marquess of Bute spent much time here but now thousands of visitors are delighted to spend time here and they too fall for its magical charm. Find out what it’s like to visit Castell Coch here.

But how did one man’s memories of a pretty fairy-tale castle thousands of miles away end up being the basis for a house in New Zealand now worth over three million of their country’s dollars, that equates to about 1.3 million pounds.

The house belongs to a family who have their roots in Scotland and Cambridge, England. When couple Emil and Judith emigrated to New Zealand to start a new life and, although not Welsh, our homeland had already made a mark on their son Barnaby.

He says: “Dad retained a very strong British heritage outlook throughout his life. I remember too, he was a proud colleague of Welsh rugby star JPR Williams while working his medical residency in London in the mid 1970s. He admired his singing! It was my first introduction to anything Welsh.”

This much-loved home was borne out of love, and also history, even before architect Martyn was on the scene. Barnaby says: “The land on which Castell Bach sits was purchased by my parents as a gift to each other for their 25th wedding anniversary in 1990.

“It was the site of New Zealand’s first capital at the time of the signing of New Zealand’s founding document The treaty of Waitangi. The governor of New Zealand, William Hobson, lived on this site at the time of the treaty signing.

“Standing at the road end, a signed path leads to a seat with a wonderful view of the water and in the distance to the sight of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Castell Bach sits in the foreground of this spectacular view, fringed by a red photinea hedge like an outer castle wall.”

Having already been intrigued by the home’s name plaque and the welcome from the metal Welsh dragon at the gates, Barnaby says all their visitors have been excited to find a castle to explore in the Bay of Islands.

But this property is more than its Welsh roots, Barnaby’s parents wanted a house that could be a comfortable home for two people and yet expand to accommodate the whole family of up to fifteen people and optimise the amazing location – enter Welsh architect Martyn Evans into the story with his castle ideas.

Barnaby says: “He was a well renowned architect in the Northland region of New Zealand. Martyn was enraptured by Castell Coch during his childhood in Wales and it was his dream design to pay homage with a modern architectural design. He found kindred spirits for his dream with Emil and Judith. They needed little persuasion!

“From Martyn’s first visit, Dad was delighted to have a classical (if slightly eccentric) design. He told me he had been toying with the idea of a Pictish broch (I had to look that up), in homage to his Scottish roots. This too was a round stone structure with stairs within the walls and a fortified entrance.

“Martyn’s earliest sketch was certainly no square box! He embraced the details of Castell Coch and sought slate for the roof, copper for the detail and he took care that proportions were correct, despite the cost of building a round house. Detail was assured by local builder Les Burt who grasped Martyn and Emil’s enthusiasm and made it a reality.”

As this house can rightly claim to be unique it can also offer some features that make you smile, not least the plaque at the entrance that says in Latin: Martinus Evans Excogitavit, Leslie Burt Exaedifcavit, which translates to ‘Martyn Evans thought it out, Les Burt built it out’.

So Castell Bach was created and Barnaby adds that even the names fascinated people. He says: “In New Zealand many people would have a summer holiday home called a bach (derived from the word “bachelor”) and so in building a small castle in Welsh style, Castell Bach (a small castle) was named. While its name needs translation, locals will pronounce it “batch” but the double-entendre in not lost on everyone!”

When you wander up the driveway of Castell Bach, or view the aerial shots of this wonderful dream home, you can see the homage paid to its original influencer – towers with coned turret roofs crowned by a metal finial, the central courtyard, and the curved wall between the two wings of the house that are so reminiscent of the inner wall of Castell Coch.

But there are so many links to the castle design that are potentially more subtle including two small slit windows in the main stairwell that were added and fondly named ‘the arm and leg’ windows, due to the eye-watering cost of their inclusion.

The curved walls and staircases invite you to feel intrigued as you follow the structure around and see what is waiting to be discovered. There is a ‘dungeon’ that is actually the wine cellar, a much more inviting space than the actual below ground, windowless dungeon at the castle in Wales.

In 2008 a great hall was added but Evans was also very keen to provide smaller spaces such as a mezzanine nook, study, and cosy living area that feels immersed in the expansive views the location above the water inlet offers.

Barnaby says: “I particularly enjoy walking across the courtyard and through the curved cedar entrance doors to find myself immediately in the centre of the main tower, the great hall stretched out before me and to my right, the views of the sea and pohutukawa trees.”

Emil and Judith enjoyed living at the castle and their three children and their families regularly came to stay, with memorable summer holidays spent visiting the beach, sailing and kayaking on the water.

Barnaby says: “Our fondest memories are of these times and the outdoor dinners in the courtyard with veritable feasts passed from the kitchen, and wine from the cellar, shared in the long summer evenings.

“A castle is both a place of retreat and a destination. It is a building of beauty in a wonderful setting and piece of history in a historical place. But for our family it was a place of reunion with siblings and cousins from distant places, a drawcard for overseas relatives and a place to remember fondly after leaving for home.

“Many of us have visited Castell Coch, walked the walls and explored the rooms. My wife and I lived in Oxford with our four sons in the early 2000s and we loved exploring castles and ruins. Castell Coch was a particularly special trip for us with its homely associations.

“Castell Coch was described as the learned dream world of a great patron and his favourite architect; here at Castell Bach, the dream has sharpened into many memories.”

Castell Bach is on the market for $3.23 million New Zealand dollars and offers four bedrooms, three bathrooms and mesmerising views out toward Opua, Paihia and Waitangi.

Bayleys agent David Baguley, who is marketing the property with colleague Irene Bremner, said the castle was sure to be noticed in the current market. “We expect interest from within the Bay of Islands, across New Zealand, and from overseas buyers seeking a safe and stable place to live.” For more property, renovation, and interior design stories join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here.