Newman’s Castle: A Medieval Castle Deep in the Heart of Texas

Visiting beautiful Newman’s Castle in Bellville, Texas had long been on my bucket list!  Knowing there aren’t very many authentic medieval castles to be had in the United States, I was intrigued when I heard about this one and couldn’t wait to check it out with my family.

Wait!  An authentic castle in Texas?   How did that get there?

A Humble Baker Builds a Castle – Newman’s Castle

After spending time in Europe as a young man, Mike Newman came home and started a bakery.  Newman’s Bakery on Main Street in Downtown Bellville, Texas, just 60 miles northwest of Houston, has been a tremendous success now for over 30 years! 

Soon, Newman wanted a home closer to town and bought a 20-acre parcel of land in the rolling countryside just 5 minutes away. 

When he first purchased land, it was with the intention of building a typical home, but the more he thought about, what he really wanted was a castle.  Why not?

Making His Dream Happen

So, he sketched out some plans on a napkin one day and broke ground on his medieval castle in 1998.  Folks thought he was crazy when he first started working, but he had grand plans and knew he could make it happen.

Working with only one assistant, he personally constructed his castle in just 8 years and moved in.  No longer thinking he was crazy, people from all over were intrigued with his idea and wanted to visit, so he began allowing tours. 

Today he serves as an inspiration to people everywhere to dream big and make it happen!

A Trip to Newman’s Castle

Newman designed his home as a typical medieval castle complete with a moat, drawbridge, and dungeon.  He and his two giant Irish Wolfhounds generously greet and host guests themselves.

On the day we visited, Newman liberally passed out wooden swords to all the children and conducted a knighting ceremony.  Just so you know – If you don’t grab a sword, you are automatically deemed a peasant (aka, parents).

After the knighting ceremony, Newman demonstrated the power of his impressive trebuchet.  A trebuchet is a medieval catapult capable of throwing large stones over 100 yards.  Amazing!

Storming the Castle

Afterwards, he invited the children to literally storm the caste by running screaming across the drawbridge in full battle cry. 

After conquering the castle, the children lined up with swords lifted high to invite the peasants inside.  The drawbridge of Newman’s Castle is an impressive 3,000 lb. working one that opens and closes using a large hamster-style wheel.  Two men climb inside and start walking to cause the mechanism to pull the drawbridge up or lower it down.

Besides the huge wooden doors, the castle also boasts an authentic portcullis, as every real castle should.

What’s a Portcullis? 

It’s a heavy sliding gate that comes down vertically across the entrance.  Bam! You’re locked in!

Once inside the castle, visitors are safe from marauding bandits due to the fully enclosed wall around the exterior of the castle.  So, children and parents quickly scattered to all the corners of the castle to explore and imagine. Newman invited them to touch everything, climb, and have sword fights! What a delightful way to make learning about medieval times come alive!

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Features of Newman’s Castle

The Great Hall at Newman’s Castle

The great hall is a large banquet room boasting two long dinner tables and balconies on either side.

The Dungeon at Newman’s Castle

The dungeon takes up one of the outer rounded corner turrets.  It is complete with jail bars, a bed of nails, heavy wooden stocks, an authentic ball and chain, and a hanging cage.  Above the dungeon is a tower ready to lock away prisoners in true Rapunzel style.

The Chapel at Newman’s Castle

Another of the rounded turrets hosts a beautiful, tranquil chapel.  Due to the lofty 2-floor ceiling, the singing inside the chapel is truly heavenly.  Here, Newman has an aged Bible and a working baptistry as well as a prominent display of the 10 Commandments.

Newman’s Home

One side of the castle is Newman’s personal home where he lives in medieval style.  In an amazing illustration of true Texas hospitality, he opens his home to guests and invites them to join him for a delicious lunch catered by his bakery served right inside his own castle kitchen.  His home boasts a beautiful master bedroom with full bath and his small, personal study. 

Additionally, there is a substantial functioning kitchen, three cozy living areas, a roaring fireplace, two spacious bedrooms boasting queen size medieval beds and private bathrooms, and a fourth bedroom with swinging bunk beds hung from the ceiling.  His lovely home is filled with mostly homemade furnishings in keeping with centuries old traditional castle décor.

The Belfry at Newman’s Castle

Perhaps one of the more remarkable features of Newman’s Castle is the lofty 62-foot bell tower that guests are invited to climb.  It’s a tight squeeze to fit between the massive bells and the walls to reach the highest part of the castle, but the view of the surrounding countryside from up top is amazing! When no one is climbing the bell tower, children are invited to hang on the ropes to ring the bells!  It takes their full weight to make the bells ring, but they sound enchanting.

The Courtyard at Newman’s Castle

Common to most castles is an inner courtyard with open spaces.  Here, the sun shines brightly and guests are invited to engage in sword practice against a swinging trunk of wood – or each other!

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The Moat at Newman’s Castle

Newman’s land boasts its own natural spring of water which he has dredged out to become a moat surrounding the entire castle.  There is also a quaint footpath around the entire lake that offers lovely scenes of Newman’s Castle from all vantage points.

Touches of Culture at Newman’s Castle

Obviously important to Newman, there are touches all around the castle indicating his interests in music, art, and religion.  We spotted several stringed instruments including a piano.  Many hymnals, Bibles, and religious relics are present throughout the castle.  The entire castle itself is a true artistic masterpiece, but the walls also boasted tapestries and art complimenting the flawless beauty of the décor.  Visiting just after Christmastime, the castle was also beautifully decorated for the holidays.

His other obvious interest is people. 

Newman himself gives the tours, interacts with visitors, and converses with the children.  He made us feel like honored guests and warm, old friends chatting beside his fireplace on a cold wintry day. 

Visit Newman’s Castle

Truly, this is one tourist attraction that feels an awful lot like going to visit a treasured friend – a friend who happens to be a baker, dream big, and own his own castle.

He hosts groups, families, field-trips, birthday parties, dinners, weddings, and is currently constructing several guest rooms for upcoming retreats. Schedule your own trip and go make some memories!

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