This Charming Castle Is One Of North Carolina’s Best-Kept Secrets
Nestled in the breathtaking hills of western North Carolina, the Castle of Joy is a magical escape where every visit feels like stepping into a storybook. From its charming turrets to the vibrant gardens that surround the estate, every detail sparks wonder and delight.
Whether you’re wandering through the majestic grounds, admiring the whimsical architecture, or capturing perfect photos, this castle is pure enchantment. Conveniently located at 150 Castle Ct, Murphy, it’s easy to find yet feels like a world of its own.
Ideal for family adventures, romantic getaways, or simply soaking in serene beauty, the Castle of Joy promises memories that last a lifetime. A trip here isn’t just sightseeing, it’s an experience filled with laughter, awe, and inspiration.
North Carolina magic lives here.
1. Artists Transformed This Property Into Living Gallery
When Cristine and Vincent Cambrea purchased the property in 2017, they saw beyond the existing structure. These accomplished artists envisioned a space where creativity could flourish alongside hospitality, where every room tells a story through carefully curated pieces.
Their vision transformed the castle into a revolving gallery that changes with seasons and inspiration.
Walking through the halls feels like exploring a private museum. Original paintings hang alongside sculptures, handcrafted furniture sits beneath medieval-inspired light fixtures, and every corner reveals another artistic surprise.
The Cambreas don’t just own the castle, they’ve infused it with their creative spirits.
Guests frequently mention how the artwork enhances their stay rather than overwhelming it. Each piece complements the castle’s character while adding contemporary flair.
The couple continues adding new works, ensuring repeat visitors discover fresh treasures. This commitment to evolving artistry keeps the property feeling alive and dynamic rather than static or museum-like in the stodgy sense.
2. The Dungeon Gallery Lounge Breaks All Expectations
Forget everything you think you know about dungeons. The Castle of Joy’s lower level flips the script entirely, creating a space that’s equal parts whimsical and welcoming.
Eight beds fill this creative sleeping area, making it perfect for families or friend groups who want proximity without sacrificing comfort.
The electric fireplace adds warmth and ambiance without the hassle of tending real flames. Modern amenities blend with medieval aesthetics, proving you don’t need to sacrifice comfort for atmosphere.
Stone walls and themed decor create immersion while plush bedding ensures restful sleep.
Then there’s the secret room tucked under the stairs. Kids lose their minds over this hidden space, but adults appreciate it just as much.
It’s these unexpected touches that elevate the castle from merely impressive to genuinely unforgettable. The lounge serves as a gathering space, sleeping quarters, and conversation starter all rolled into one cleverly designed area that maximizes both function and fun.
3. Two Master Suites Designed For Romance
Romance practically drips from the walls of the two master suites. Each room offers privacy, luxury, and views that make mornings feel like scenes from romantic movies.
High ceilings, carefully chosen furnishings, and thoughtful layouts create spaces where couples can truly disconnect from everyday stress.
The suites don’t rely on frilly excess to achieve romantic atmosphere. Instead, they use quality materials, strategic lighting, and those incredible mountain vistas to set the mood.
Stone walls provide authentic castle ambiance while modern bathrooms ensure comfort. It’s medieval charm meeting contemporary expectations perfectly.
Many couples choose the castle specifically for proposals, honeymoons, or anniversaries. The master suites provide intimate retreats within the larger property, offering both connection to the castle’s magic and escape from the outside world.
Large windows frame mountain views like living paintings, changing with weather and season to provide ever-shifting natural artwork that no gallery could match.
4. Eleven Acres Of Pure Mountain Paradise
The castle itself impresses, but the surrounding eleven acres complete the experience. Nature trails wind through the property, inviting exploration and providing peaceful walks among native plants and trees.
Each path reveals different perspectives of both castle and mountains, offering photographers endless opportunities.
Sculptures dot the landscape like treasures waiting for discovery. These artistic installations transform a simple walk into a scavenger hunt for beauty, encouraging guests to explore every corner of the grounds.
The Cambreas placed each piece thoughtfully, considering sight lines and natural surroundings.
Wildlife frequently makes appearances, deer grazing near the tree line, birds singing from branches, even occasional foxes darting through underbrush. The property feels removed from civilization despite being easily accessible.
Guests consistently mention how the acreage provides both adventure and tranquility, space to roam yet intimate spots for quiet contemplation. It’s this balance that makes the grounds just as memorable as the castle itself.
5. Sweetheart Pond Adds Fairytale Touch
A fifty-foot pond might sound modest until you see how perfectly it fits the property. Goldfish glide through clear water, their orange scales flashing in sunlight like living jewels.
A waterfall provides gentle background music, the kind of natural soundtrack that makes stress melt away without conscious effort.
The pond sits in a spot that maximizes both visual appeal and guest enjoyment. Benches nearby invite lingering, perfect for morning coffee or evening wine.
Couples often find themselves drawn here for quiet conversations, while photographers love how the water reflects surrounding mountains and sky.
Named Sweetheart Pond for good reason, this feature embodies the romantic atmosphere that permeates the entire property. It’s not overdone or artificial, just a beautiful water feature that enhances the natural landscape.
Guests frequently mention feeding the goldfish as an unexpected highlight, a simple pleasure that adds childlike joy to sophisticated surroundings. The waterfall never overwhelms with noise but provides just enough sound to create peaceful ambiance.
6. Hot Tub With Mountain Views That Steal The Show
Soaking in a hot tub becomes an entirely different experience when surrounded by mountain peaks. The six-person spa sits on the terrace where panoramic views stretch for miles, creating a setting that feels both luxurious and wild.
Steam rises as temperatures drop, creating magical moments, especially during cooler months.
Day or night, the hot tub delivers. Sunrise soaks offer peaceful starts with mountains gradually illuminated by golden light.
Evening sessions provide stargazing opportunities that city dwellers rarely experience, with darkness revealing constellations usually hidden by light pollution. The positioning ensures privacy while maximizing views, no small feat in design.
Groups love gathering here after exploring the property, sharing stories while muscles relax in heated water. Couples find it impossibly romantic, especially when mountain mist drifts across distant peaks.
The hot tub isn’t just an amenity, it’s an experience that guests consistently rank among their favorite castle features, proving that sometimes the simplest pleasures create the most lasting memories.
7. Perfect Wedding Venue Without Cookie-Cutter Feel
Wedding venues often feel interchangeable, but nobody confuses this castle with generic event spaces. Couples seeking something genuinely unique find their dreams realized here, where medieval architecture meets mountain majesty.
The property photographs beautifully from every angle, making wedding albums look effortlessly stunning without heavy editing.
Intimate ceremonies work perfectly on the grounds, with mountains providing a natural cathedral. Larger receptions utilize both indoor and outdoor spaces, flowing seamlessly between castle rooms and terrace areas.
The venue accommodates various wedding styles, from elegant formal affairs to relaxed mountain celebrations, without forcing couples into predetermined packages.
What sets this venue apart is authenticity. The castle doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not or force themes that feel manufactured.
It simply offers a genuinely special location where couples can celebrate surrounded by beauty, art, and nature. Many wedding guests mention never attending such a memorable ceremony, with the venue itself becoming part of the couple’s love story rather than just a backdrop.
8. A Castle That’s Actually A Hidden Mountain Treasure
Imagine stumbling upon an authentic castle while exploring the quiet corners of western North Carolina. The Castle of Joy rises from the landscape like something plucked from a European countryside and gently placed among American mountains.
This isn’t some cheesy replica or theme park attraction, it’s a genuine architectural marvel with stone walls, a commanding turret, and details that honor traditional castle design.
Murphy might not be the first place you’d expect to find such a treasure. Yet here it stands, proving that magic exists in unexpected places.
The castle’s exterior blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings, creating a harmony between human craftsmanship and mountain wilderness.
Visitors often drive past twice before believing their eyes. The structure commands attention without feeling out of place, a testament to thoughtful design and location selection.
From certain angles, mountain mist wraps around the turret, creating photographs that look straight out of Scottish Highlands tourism brochures rather than southern Appalachia.
9. From Castle McKenzie To Highland Keep
Every castle has a story, and this one spans multiple chapters. Originally known as Castle McKenzie, the property carried different energy before the Cambreas arrived.
The 2017 purchase marked a turning point, beginning extensive renovations that honored original architecture while introducing artistic vision and modern functionality.
The name change to Highland Keep reflects both the Scottish-inspired architecture and the property’s mountain setting. It also signaled the owners’ commitment to creating something new while respecting the past.
Renovations focused on enhancing rather than erasing, preserving character while updating systems and amenities.
Understanding this history adds depth to any visit. Guests aren’t just staying in a castle, they’re experiencing the culmination of vision, hard work, and artistic dedication.
The transformation from private residence to beloved venue required not just financial investment but creative passion. Today’s Highland Keep represents what happens when artists with vision meet property with potential, creating something greater than either could achieve alone.
10. Location That Balances Seclusion And Accessibility
Murphy sits in North Carolina’s far western corner, where state lines blur, and mountain culture thrives. The Castle of Joy benefits from this location, feeling remote without being inconveniently distant.
Approximately ninety minutes from Chattanooga and two hours from both Asheville and Atlanta, the castle attracts visitors from multiple metropolitan areas.
This accessibility matters for event planning and weekend getaways. Guests don’t need to block entire weeks for travel, a Friday departure means arrival in time for dinner.
Yet once there, the property feels worlds away from urban chaos. Mountain roads wind through forests, gradually building anticipation before the castle reveals itself.
The location also provides launching points for exploring Western North Carolina’s attractions. Hiking trails, waterfalls, small-town charm, and mountain crafts all lie within easy reach.
Visitors can make the castle their basecamp for regional exploration or never leave the property, both approaches work perfectly. This flexibility makes the Castle of Joy suitable for various travel styles and preferences.
11. Four Bathrooms Mean No Morning Bottlenecks
Practical considerations matter even in fairytale settings. Four bathrooms distributed throughout the castle ensure groups never face awkward morning waits or scheduling conflicts.
This might seem mundane compared to turrets and mountain views, but anyone who’s shared limited bathrooms with large groups appreciates this thoughtful design.
Each bathroom balances period-appropriate aesthetics with modern functionality. Stone and tile work nods to medieval styling while fixtures provide contemporary comfort and efficiency.
Hot water flows reliably, water pressure satisfies, and lighting actually helps with morning routines, details that sound boring but dramatically impact guest satisfaction.
The bathroom count also reflects the property’s versatility. Whether hosting a small romantic weekend or accommodating a larger wedding party, facilities meet demand without compromise.
It’s these behind-the-scenes considerations that separate good venues from great ones. Guests remember the views and architecture, but they also remember comfortable, convenient amenities that made their stay effortless rather than complicated by logistical headaches.
12. Seasonal Packages Create Year-Round Magic
The Castle of Joy, at 150 Castle Ct, Murphy, doesn’t close when temperatures drop or holidays approach. Instead, seasonal packages embrace each time of year, creating opportunities for families to build traditions.
Christmas packages transform the castle into a winter wonderland, while Thanksgiving gatherings provide space for extended families to celebrate together without cramming into someone’s house.
These seasonal offerings show the owners’ understanding of how people actually want to use the space. Holiday stress often comes from hosting logistics, too little space, kitchen chaos, and family dynamics in close quarters.
The castle solves these problems by providing ample room, full amenities, and a special setting that makes gatherings feel like occasions rather than obligations.
Booking during holidays also means experiencing the property in different seasons. Fall foliage paints mountains in spectacular colors, winter brings the possibility of snow dusting the turret, spring explodes with wildflowers, and summer offers long evening light.
Each season creates different magic, encouraging repeat visits to experience the castle’s changing moods throughout the year.
13. Book Early Because Word Spreads Fast
Hidden gems don’t stay hidden forever. As word spreads about this mountain castle, availability tightens, especially during peak seasons and holidays.
The property’s limited capacity, a feature, not a bug, means only one group books at a time, ensuring privacy and exclusivity but also creating competition for prime dates.
Wedding couples often book a year or more in advance, securing their dream date before someone else claims it. Weekend getaways during the fall foliage season fill quickly as leaf-peepers seek comfortable basecamps.
Even off-season dates disappear faster than expected as people discover the castle’s year-round appeal.
The official website provides booking information and availability calendars, making the reservation process straightforward. Early planning rewards guests with better date selection and time to build anticipation.
Last-minute bookings sometimes work, but counting on availability usually leads to disappointment. The castle’s growing popularity means treating it like any sought-after destination, plan ahead, book early, and look forward to an experience that lives up to its growing reputation as one of North Carolina’s most enchanting escapes.
