In the novel, Theophilus North by Thornton Wilder, a semi-autobiographical tale set in Newport in the 1920s, the main character describes “a pentagonal room in a turret above the house: from the magical room, I could see at night the beacons of six lighthouses and hear the chiming of as many sea buoys.” Wilder was
The Bellevue Avenue and Ocean Drive Historic Districts are indeed not that old. They have almost no colonial aspect, as you find Downtown, on Historic Hill, or in The Point sections of Newport. They are, however, the most spectacular! Winter is a great time to discover these areas by car, along the so-called Ten Mile Drive,
With its mix of beach town, sailing capital, and world-class resort, plus the backdrop of colonial and gilded age history, it is no wonder that Newport became a top wedding destination. Not to mention, the magical quality of the natural light — best seen in wedding photos from Castle Hill Inn! Follow in the footsteps
We know we are not the only ones to take solace in nature and gardening during this time of uncertainty and waylaid plans. We also know that, when you are at Castle Hill and surrounded of course by beautiful things, it is the natural landscape and seascape that will forever win the day! Blessed as
During the Gilded Age, wealthy Americans came to Newport to conquer society or be sanctioned by it, as it was the ne plus ultra for the fashionable set. In 1874, when Alexander Agassiz purchased Castle Hill and built his summer home here, the Queen of Newport society was Mrs. August Belmont née Caroline Slidell Perry.
Newport’s grandest homes, including the Agassiz mansion at Castle Hill, were built as summer “cottages”. Luckily for us, this did not mean that their construction was in any way flimsy or unable to be hospitable in winter. For example, the exterior walls of The Elms mansion, pictured in the snow, are three feet thick! Not
Let’s face it. November gets a bad rap. Granted, it’s not overly festive, it’s dark out a good deal of the time, it’s too early for skiing — a transitional month for sure! In Newport, however, its golden and fiery beauty, lack of crowds, ocean mitigated mild temperatures and persistent lushness, make it a fabulous
Early autumn is one of the most beautiful times of year in Rhode Island. The days are often warm, with a cool breeze and cozy nights. The humidity of summer has moved on, along with many of the crowds, and those who remain are making the most of the nice weather and quieter surrounds. Local
Two weeks ago, employees of Castle Hill lost one of their own, James “Cornbread” Crookes. Cornbread joined the Inn straight out of Newport’s Rogers High School in the summer of 1980 and was a member of our culinary team for almost 40 years. He trained a succession of executive chefs over the years, including Newport
The charm of the Castle Hill Inn is due in large part to its historic structures – the Agassiz mansion, Castle Hill Light and the Chalet – combined with its seaside setting. Guests who enjoy this elixir of New England charm will surely enjoy the Cliff Walk, on the eastern end of the peninsula that