Stunning Castle - Heated Saltwater Pool & Hot Tub

This breathtaking 4,800-square-foot estate on the National Register of Historic Places is the perfect setting for your fairytale vacation. Built by Governor King in 1812, it has served as a hunting lodge, marine hospital, tavern, and dairy farm—now transformed into a dream vacation rental. This once-in-a-lifetime stay includes 5+ bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, 2 half baths, multiple indoor/outdoor spaces, a heated saltwater pool (seasonal), and a hot tub on 38 acres of gardens, ponds, and woods. The space Hosted by HelmsBnB, this hilltop granite Gothic Revival manor is one of Maine’s most treasured historic homes. Built as the country retreat for Maine’s first governor, this estate has stood for over 225 years and has been lovingly restored to preserve its rich history while incorporating modern comforts. Though just minutes from downtown Bath, this estate feels like your own private sanctuary, surrounded by acres of gardens, forests, and historic orchards. Inside, our home offers grand living spaces, a library with a hidden meditation/yoga chapel, and elegant period details throughout. First Floor: The main living room boasts double-height ceilings, antique chandeliers, and towering Gothic Revival windows that flood the space with natural light. While the home features a historic 9-foot fireplace with an 18th-century masonry oven, it is closed for use due to insurance. The seating area includes 3 plush couches, a smart Frame TV, and a cozy nook perfect for board games or puzzles. Adjacent to the living room is a wood-paneled library, complete with 2 oversized reading chairs, a comfy couch, and a hidden meditation chapel. This chapel, featuring four walls of stained glass and a stone floor, has been transformed into a peaceful yoga studio with mats provided. We also recently added a water rower machine to the space for an added workout opportunity. A bright sitting room showcases the home's historic charm with restored gold-trimmed millwork, a fireplace, and antique photographs detailing its past. The spacious eat-in kitchen offers a Viking 8-burner stove and oven, a butcher block island, a butler’s pantry with a full coffee bar, and a vintage farmhouse sink. Though it transports you back in time with some quirks, the kitchen includes modern conveniences such as a new dishwasher, refrigerator with icemaker, and espresso maker. Just beyond, the formal dining room features seating for 10+, a gas fireplace, and stunning stained-glass panels. Second Floor: Upstairs, there's a king bedroom with cathedral ceilings and a stunning chandelier. A second bedroom has four twin beds beneath a beautiful arched window. A dedicated office space with a desk and twin daybed provides a peaceful work-from-home setting and additional bed spaces. Two full bathrooms are on this floor, one with a large clawfoot soaking tub and one with a tub and rain shower, connecting the king and twin bedrooms. Third Floor: The third floor offers three additional king bedrooms, each with its own character. The standout is the “Art Room,” a former art studio featuring stone walls, chapel windows, vaulted ceilings, exposed wood beams, and a rustic chandelier. This room also has a seating area and in-room sink vanity. The remaining two king bedrooms feature pumpkin pine wood floors and breathtaking views of the gardens and pool respectively. There is also a full bathroom with a tub and shower on this floor. Fourth Floor: The top floor has a window overlooking the Art Room and a playroom with a twin trundle bed and desk. Outdoor Spaces: The kitchen-side outdoor deck has a 10 seat outdoor table, propane burner gas grill, and is ready for your outdoor meals outside overlooking private rolling fields enclosed by trees. Open from mid-May to mid-September, our guests can enjoy a stunning 16-by-40-foot in-ground heated saltwater lap pool. With safety being our highest priority, the pool patio is encircled by a fence and we installed a custom automatic pool cover that should be closed at all times when not in use. Additionally, we have a luxurious 7 person hot tub that's open year round. In the summer months, there is a pergola with additional seating, lounge chairs and bluetooth music system. We provide lawn games to use in any of the open fields during the warmer months and snowshoes you can borrow in winter for an afternoon of outdoor fun. Down the stairs from the pool patio, there are adirondack chairs and Solo Stove fire pit ready for sunset s’mores. Acres of English-style gardens offer private nooks with seating, fishing ponds, flower-covered trellises, sculptures, crawling grape vines, and fruit planted by Governor King himself ready for picking in the fall. Across the field, nestled just below our private woods, you’ll find a second deck that is perfect for a more rustic meal, an afternoon picnic, or a nightcap under the stars. Staying at this historic manor is like stepping back in time without sacrificing modern luxuries. Whether you’re reading by the fire, exploring the gardens, meditating in the stained-glass chapel, or relaxing by the pool, every moment here feels special. The granite Stonehouse sits high with views of the private park-like setting including perennial gardens, long hedgerows, fruit trees, forests, charming horse barns, ponds, all adjacent to over 300 acres of trails in the Thorne Head / Sewall Woods Preserves across the road. Please note, with over 38 acres it would be impossible to maintain all spaces without charging an exorbitant amount. We landscape the immediately accessible spaces weekly, but some fields beyond that may not be perfectly landscaped at all times. Guest access You will have access to all parts of this home except for the locked basement (storage), and a couple locked linen closets. Outside, we do not currently give guests access to the horse barns for safety. While we strive to minimize guest disturbances, we regularly maintain our home and may conduct lawn care during reservations, particularly on weekdays or during longer stays. Other things to note Featured in Down East Magazine, The Portland Press Herald, Boston magazine, included in the Maine Bicentennial historic property tour, and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Maine Historic Preservation Commission, and Bath Historic Register. We require a signed liability waiver for all outdoor amenities. You assume all risk and charges for improper use of the items accessible to our guests. The waiver will be provided to you prior to check in and must be signed before entry code will be sent. Absolutely NO firearms allowed on property, at any time. • Complimentary extra high speed wifi, perfect for working remotely! • Linens, bath/hand/wash towels and start up toiletries are provided. • Parking for max 4-5 cars in our private driveway. Additional parking via a separate gated entrance not available in winter. We have exterior only security cameras for the safety of both our guests and property. These cameras are actively recording both audio and video outside all entrances and side doors. Any tampering with cameras, including, but not limited to covering and otherwise disabling of these cameras are grounds for early termination of reservation with no refunds whatsoever. Please note we do not have any cameras inside or in the pool area. Absolutely no smoking inside or near open exterior doors - there is a $250 fee if this is violated.