Castles of Bucks County, PA

Duration: 1 Day | Doylestown, PA | Meal Included: Lunch

 

Trip Highlights:

 

Fonthill Castle

Perched in the heart of scenic Bucks County, Fonthill Castle was built by scholar-artisan Henry Chapman Mercer between 1908-1912. It’s a living masterpiece of hand-crafted tiles, whimsical architecture, and intimate grandeur. With over 44 rooms, more than 200 windows, 18 fireplaces, and stunning details at every turn, Fonthill enchants the eyes and stirs the soul. Wander through richly detailed interiors, marvel at Mercer’s legacy, and capture unforgettable moments in romantic halls or the lush grounds.

 

Mercer Museum

Step into America’s past at the Mercer Museum, a remarkable six-story castle designed by Henry Chapman Mercer nestled in historic Doylestown, Bucks County. Towering concrete walls shelter over 40,000 pre-industrial tools and artifacts, hand-crafted folk art, farm implements, and relics of the trades that shaped early America. Stroll through 60+ exhibit rooms and alcoves, explore a dramatic central court where Conestoga wagons, antique fire engines, and whaleboats hover overhead, and immerse yourself in the lives of those who worked long before mechanization.

 

Meal Information:

 

Lunch is included at Water Wheel Tavern. Choices are:

• Chicken Bruschetta with Asiago & Balsamic Reduction

• Broiled Salmon

• Vegetarian Entree

Lunch is served with a garden salad, chef's choice sides, pound cake with berries for dessert, along with coffee, tea, and soft drinks

 

Menus are subject to change.

 

Need to Know:

• Both castles are historic and require walking. Fonthill Castle requires stairs and has uneven flooring.

• Fonthill Castle Climate: The ground floor is climate-controlled. Other room temperatures may fluctuate with the seasons.

• Mercer Museum Climate: The modern exhibition wing, gallery, and program facilities are fully heated and air conditioned. The original historic core of the museum is not climate-controlled & may match outside temperatures.

• Every Starr trip includes deluxe round-trip motorcoach transportation from one or more of our departure locations.

• A Starr Tour Director will accompany you on this trip.

 

Accessibility:

• Fonthill Castle: Due to its historic nature, the castle has limited accessibility with steep stairs and narrow, uneven passages. The tour is 60 minutes.

• Mercer Museum: The original core of the museum is partially handicapped accessible (approximately 65%) by elevator. The new wing, which includes the changing Exhibition Gallery and Learning Center, is fully accessible, including restrooms. The tour is self-guided.

• Starr has a select quantity of wheelchair accessible motorcoaches available; therefore, we suggest you contact a Travel Advisor to discuss any needs you may have before reserving your trip.