Modern History - Larnach Castle & Gardens

Modern History

	1967 - Current "The Barker Family's Restoration Project"
	In 1967 Margaret and Barry Barker purchased Larnach Castle. Margaret Barker remembers the dreadful state of the buildings and grounds. The Ballroom had been used to pen sheep, the Castle was empty of furniture, leaking like a sieve, in a terrible state of disrepair and the grounds were overgrown. When the Barkers bought the Castle many people thought (and told them!) that they were crazy to take on such a mammoth and apparently impossible task.

	While a significant amount of time, effort, and research has been undertaken to restore the Castle to the original exacting standards of Larnach's time, the garden and grounds have been Margaret Barker's creation. A magnificent home of this grandeur needed to be set in an equally impressive garden and grounds.

	Now Larnach Castle is once again Dunedin's premier landmark, hosting guests from all over the world. From a run down building the family have created a diversified business, saved a major part of Dunedin's heritage and contributed a huge amount to the local tourism industry.