3 Ways To Experience The Season At A Bucks County Castle​

DOYLESTOWN, PA — There are three ways to experience the holiday season at historic Fonthill Castle, built between 1908 and 1912 and once the home of Henry Chapman Mercer.

Through Dec. 31, the Bucks County Historical Society will be holding daily tours of the castle, holiday meanders, and evening tours, each showcasing the interior of the National Historic Landmark, which has been transformed into a winter wonderland with themed Christmas trees around almost every corner.

Fonthill Castle Holiday Daily Tours

Weekday and November weekend daily tours are offered through Dec. 31. The cost is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors (65 and over), $15 for students, $10 for youth ages six to 16; and free for children five and under and museum members.

On all weekdays as well as weekends in November, daily one-hour guided tours of historic Fonthill Castle showcase Henry Mercer’s home decorated for the holidays, and share the history of Mercer and the construction of this unique property. Tours are 60 minutes and guided. Fonthill Castle’s interior features Mercer’s renowned, handcrafted ceramic tiles designed at the height of the Arts and Crafts movement, and the castle serves as an early example of reinforced concrete architecture with 44 rooms, 200 windows, and 18 fireplaces.

Youngsters marvel at the lights on one of the decorated trees. (Kevin Crawford)

Holiday Lights Meander Days

• Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21
• Saturday, December 27 and Sunday, December 28

Time slots begin every 10 minutes (each slot is 45-minutes long)

Special Holiday Lights Meander Days

• Christmas Eve (Wednesday, Dec. 24) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Friday, December 26
• Tuesday, December 30
• Wednesday, Dec. 31 (New Year's Eve) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The cost is $25 for adults, $20 for society members, $10 for youth ages 6 to 17, $5 for children five and under).

Holiday Lights Meander Days allow guests to explore the rooms and trees on the 2025 Holiday Lights Meander tour route inside Fonthill Castle at their own pace. Knowledgeable tour guides are available along the holiday route to inspire and engage and make this a seasonal experience to remember for the whole family

Holiday Evening Tours

• Friday, November 21
• Saturday, November 22
• Friday, November 28
• Thursday, December 4
• Wednesday, December 10
• Thursday, December 11
• Wednesday, December 17
• Thursday, December 18

First tour begins at 5 p.m. The cost is $25 for adults, $20 for members, $10 (youth ages 6 to 17) and $5 for children five and under. Nothing is as magical as discovering Fonthill Castle decked out for the holidays on one of the guided evening tours. Discover Mercer’s renowned ceramic tiles and holiday trees glowing in the candlelight during these intimate 45-minute historic tours

Schedule and tickets are available by clicking here. Advanced tickets are highly recommended for all of these holiday programs. Fonthill Castle is closed on the following holiday days: Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving Day), Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day) and Thursday, January 1 (New Year's Day).