Earnscleugh Castle, a 21-room historic manor near Clyde on New Zealand’s South Island, is opening as a luxury lodge after an NZ$11 million restoration.
The property, which was featured on Grand Designs New Zealand, combines individually styled rooms in the main house with additional accommodation in its restored Coach House. It will operate as an adults-only bed and breakfast.
Guests can expect French antique beds, evening house wine, pre-dinner charcuterie and canapés, croquet on the lawn and access to a swimming pool, sauna, spa and ice bath. The estate’s Valais Blacknose sheep are also available for hand-feeding.
Earnscleugh Castle’s unfinished history
Despite its imposing name, Earnscleugh Castle is a Jacobethan manor dating from 1919. It is listed as a Category 1 Historic Place by Heritage New Zealand.
The house was commissioned by sheep farmer Stephen Spain, who made his fortune through a rabbit-canning factory in Alexandra. At its peak, the factory processed 15,000 rabbits a day for export and employed more than 90 people.
Spain hired Dunedin architect Edmund Anscombe to create a suitably grand residence. The resulting home had 21 rooms, three bathrooms, three storerooms and two sun balconies, and was described by Heritage New Zealand as an example of “conspicuous consumption”.
Locals came to call it “Spain’s folly”, after Spain’s finances deteriorated in the aftermath of the First World War and he was unable to complete the project.
Ryan Sanders and Marco Creemers bought the derelict property in 2022 and spent four years restoring it while completing elements of Anscombe’s original design. A formal dining room, library and ballroom have been added, with the building’s heritage character retained.
The premium Spain Suite is named after the original owner and features a carved French antique bed, blue interiors, bay windows and French doors leading to a western balcony overlooking the Fraser River and Old Man Range.
Earnscleugh Castle stands on about 12 hectares surrounded by the orchards, vineyards and tussock-covered landscapes of Central Otago. The region is known for pinot noir, while the Otago Central Rail Trail and Lake Dunstan Trail are within cycling distance.
The entire castle can be hired exclusively for up to 14 guests across seven en suite rooms. Adding the Coach House raises capacity to 20, while a private chef, driver and helicopter transfers can be arranged.
A seven-day wellness programme, Sanctum 7, is due to launch in November. Limited to 12 guests, it will include functional testing, tailored vegetarian and juice programmes, yoga, breath work, sound healing, ice baths, IV drips and daily time in the estate grounds.
Rooms start at NZ$899 a night in low season, including breakfast, evening house wine, charcuterie and canapés and use of the wellness facilities. A two-night minimum generally applies, while exclusive use of the castle starts at NZ$9,999 a night with a three-night minimum stay.
