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Ravenwood Castle in
New Plymouth, Ohio
Although the design of Ravenwood Castle was inspired by
castles built to defend the border between England and Wales
in the 12th and 13th centuries, the building in much newer,
of course. Sue and Jim Maxwell have been long-time
Anglophiles (lovers of English Culture) and have made many
trips to Britain where they first enjoyed the concept of Bed
and Breakfast many years before it was common in America. It
was on these trips they also got the idea for the Castle.
Ground was broken in September 1994, and the main Castle
building was finished by May 1995. Although they had planned
only four rooms for guests, for various reasons, a few more
rooms were added along the way. The cottages in the medieval
village were started in the fall of 1996 and the first three
were ready for guests in the spring of 1997.
The floor of the great hall and much of the wood trim in the
Castle were adapted from the various castles and “stately
homes” they saw on their trips. The game room resembles the
atmosphere of many British pubs with its “faux stone” floor,
tavern windows and great fireplace.
It was on these trips that they also got the idea for the
tea room and cottages. The designs of these buildings were
all inspired by Sue’s photos of original British buildings.
The cottage themes were inspired by the occupations of
people who might have lived or worked in their cottage home
several hundred years ago. While in England, they also came
across various gypsy wagons which gave them the unique idea
of alternative lodgings for camping families.
 
In June of 2012, Jim and Pam Reed purchased Ravenwood
Castle. The Reeds first visited Ravenwood in 1996, and
returned numerous times in the years since. When they
discovered Ravenwood was for sale in early 2012, they knew
they wanted to write the next chapter in its story.
Jim brings 20 years of business experience to the Ravenwood
team, which he puts to use managing the operations of the
castle. Pam's focus is on guest relations and planning
Ravenwood's myriad of events.
 
Ravenwood Castle
65666 Bethel Road
New Plymouth, Ohio 45654
Phone: 800-477-1541
e-mail:
ravenwood@hocking.net
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