Castles have always reminded me of fairy tales. But Hammond Castle is a fairy tale with a distinctly Gothic twist. There was something about the story of its lonely owner and the maze of dark little passageways, hidden entrances, and unexpected exits between rooms that gave me chills. It felt less like I was walking through a castle and more like I had stepped into a fortress where it is eternally Halloween.... Why - because this castle has the unique story of being built from ruins of so many European structures, real structures. Roman pillars from Italian ruins, medieval doorways from French monasteries sometimes even entire rooms dismantled stone by stone and shipped. This inventor (known for the remote control and 400 odd patents), was no doubt super rich, who dreamed and created one of a kind castle to live in. He delighted in calling him the preserver of heritage, some called it plunder and also claimed it was cursed having been built on ruins. No wonder, there are innumerable 'stories' of haunting associated with this castle. There are plenty amazing locations for pictures. The architecture is captivating, it is a popular location for weddings given the dramatic backdrop. Costing anywhere between $6000 to $10K just for the space. I was cautious to walk with my tour group when inside the castle, it was not just to listen to the many interesting scraps of information but also to ensure am surrounded by people......lol Hammond Castle is perched directly on a rocky cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, so its pretty scenic in soo many ways. Its beautiful, its strange, it has loads of mini stories from past and present, something very different. Was I able to pique your interest yet .... ?! read more

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I visited Hammond Castle Museum with my mom a week or so ago when we spent a long weekend on Cape Ann, and we loved our time there! Hammond Castle is a 20th century castle! It was built by John Hays Hammond, Jr., who was a very wealthy inventor and all around quirky guy. To make a long story short, Jr. offended his upper crust parents by picking a woman they considered inappropriate to be his wife (a divorcee from a family they didn't consider worthy to marry into the family). They kicked him out of the family castle down the road, so he built his castle - a bigger one. Hammond Jr. was a collector, and he traveled around Europe after both world wars and was able to collect beautiful pieces of European art and architecture that became part of the house. So the castle was built between 1926 and 1929, but it contains elements from 15th, 16th, and 18th century European architecture. You can tour the Castle by self-guided or guided tours, but I highly recommend a guided tour. Our tour guide was Leila, and she was incredible - funny, informative, charming! She walked us around, into several areas of the castle, and then we explored more areas on our own after the guided tour. The castle is incredible. The architecture and art are incredible, and there are great stories behind a lot of both (some pieces and elements have questionable provenance)! The castle also has great views. We had tickets for the first tour of the day on a Saturday. I highly recommend going early and getting a tour in the morning. When we arrived around 9 for our 9:30 tour, the parking lot was pretty empty. When we left around 11, the parking lot was entirely full and there were several cars with their flashers on waiting to be able to pull into a spot as people left. It's a popular spot, so if you're visiting on a weekend, go early if you can. Or be prepared to wait for a parking spot or take a rideshare! Hammond Castle is quirky, beautiful, interesting, fun. It should definitely be on your itinerary if you're visiting Cape Ann if you like art, architecture, history, quirky places... There's so much to enjoy about Hammond Castle! read more

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Visiting family and they brought us here for an excursion. Such a unique experience, both physically and historically. We so enjoyed our tour with an amazing guide and also just freely exploring the grounds and the various rooms. The variations in architectural design are incredible. Unfortunately the gardens were not open as they are under maintenence. Well worth the time spent. read more

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I finally made to Hammond Castle after having it on my list of places to see for years. I made a reservation for a self-guided tour with a flexible entrance time of 11-45 AM -2:30 PM for their "Deck the Halls" holiday celebration. Cost was $25 per person. When we arrived there were cars waiting for a parking spot as they are limited. We did not have to wait too long for a space since there was a constant flow of people coming and going. I am unsure how it would be for parking in the summer as people may take longer to enjoy the outside area so I am glad we went during a cold morning. I totally enjoyed my visit as it was much more than a castle as it incorporated some interactive exhibits and information about its former owner John Jay Hammond Jr. I'll admit that I knew very little about him but left the place more informed about him - including that he held over 400 patents. You learn more about his work as you explore the house. Don't miss watching a short introductory video where the coat check area is located. It is a medieval castle built in the 1920s and it is not handicapped accessible. It is also not the best place for someone with mobility issues as it has many staircases to get around the entire place. read more

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We did the full 45 min tour and it was interesting and done well! This place is a wonder to see! Real life castle, right on the water. After our guided tour we are allowed to explore the entire castle at our own pace. Makes for beautiful pictures! I can absolutely see why couples want to get married here. The location was stunning! I will recommend this place to be everyone! read more

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I love going to check out castles because I find them so cool and interesting. This seemed like a popular one so we decided to drive up from Boston to spend the day around Gloucester. The pictures made the castle seem bigger than it is. We saw everything pretty quickly which I didn't expect. Parking was also full and you have to wait for a spot to open up. Overall decent museum but not that impressive read more

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I have been wanting to come to Hammond Castle for years and finally got to go! I came with my best friend, and we had such a great time. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted very warmly and everyone we met who worked there was friendly and helpful. You have two options: self guided or guided tours. We chose the self-guided, but the woman at the check-in counter suggested we go watch the short introduction movie about the history of the place, and I am glad she did. The video is maybe 5 minutes, but worth the watch as you learn a lot in that short time and it's great to listen before the tour. The castle is huge, and there's so many interesting things to see and read about. I don't want to give too much away, as I personally feel it's much better to experience this in person. If you're a fan of eclectic places, art, and science, this place is for you. If you've ever been to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, they have a lot of similarities and I love that! If you've been wanting to go, I highly recommend taking the trip here. It's just 30 minutes north of Salem, and we were in Salem for a visit and it was such an easy drive to get here from there. read more

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So we were just taking pictures (not a photoshoot) Got yelled at by some guy who works there, lots of attitude and ill spoken because we had to pay for a photoshoot, again. Just taking PICTURES LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WITH A DIGITAL CAMERA. Mind you. He yelled at us because of a bench that was MOVED BEFORE we got there that had nothing to do with us....... He ruined the experience ‍ wouldn't recommend going if he's there. He's incredibly rude. Shame cause the castle was beautiful not worth going if their workers have attitude problems. read more

Hammond Castle Museum - This is the man who yelled at us. - Museums Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

What a cool place to visit! You can either 1. Walk through the museum on your own or 2. Take a guided tour. We ended up walking through the castle on our own and with the paper guide and map, there was enough information to follow along and get a sense of the history. The castle was beautifully decorated for the holidays! read more

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I love castles and history. I did NOT want to pay for a tour so we went on a self guided tour. Enjoyed the freedom of having the ability to tour by ourself. There are lots of informational signs so I felt I learned a lot. The building is absolutely beautiful and well cared for. Really loved the atrium area and the library. Appreciate the opportunity to see and experience a castle. read more

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This evening on May 31, 2025 was a truly magical Ceremony for a Romantic wedding in honor of a Prince and his breathtaking Princess among their family and friends, in the Great Hall of this Medieval style museum. The Hammond Castle, perched high along one of Massachusetts breathtaking Atlantic Coastline in the Magnolia Area of Gloucester built by scientific inventor John Hays Hammond in the 1920's! This amazing Architectural undertaking encompassing several centuries of artifacts and exhibits from the 15th Century on! This day was executed perfectly by the Staff to give this Couple, who I will only say are Prince Benjamin and his beloved Princess Veronica. It began with invited guests arriving to see how beautiful it was. Their arrangements of the huge long family style tables on each side of the Great Hall so that the Bride would walk down the aisle along the white lining draped tables with ivory and gold china plates and crystal glasses for water and champagne flutes to eventually toast the newly married couple and beautifully adorned with flowered vases and a special Thank You Gift for their Guests! The Ceremony began down the aisle with the proud parents and brides maid of honor and bridesmaid! Both gowned in Royal shades of lavender and purple chiffon! This Princess Bride wowed her mesmerizing guests while on their feet to witness her long journey flanked by her guests toward her beloved handsome to be Prince on the staircase next to his groomsmen! Her White Satin off the shoulder full length bridal gown the had a long white laced train to marvel any Royal Wedding! This ceremony was performed in a manner that was so perfect. You were clued to his every word especially when each said their vows to each other, he then pronounced them married! Then, the festivities begun, with an open bar and a feast fit for a King! From Chicken Parm, Pasta with Red Sauce, Potatoes and Steak Tips with baked Haddock along with Rolls and tasty Caesar Salad! To eat family style was a treat to make it so accessible to chat with others! My Royal married couple sat facing their guests and had a view with made it all so intimate and inclusive! We dined, we drank, we danced to a wonderful DJ, we laughed and we all celebrated their wedding Day at this MAJESTIC HAMMOND CASTLE for this special Prince and Princess! read more

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The Hammond Castle is a beautiful mid evil home of one of Americas greatest inventions belonging to John Hammond and his wife. John invented radio operations for the U.S government. He also invented other things that we take for granted everyday he was quite a man. But you can tour the castle and it's very interesting the great hall and the gardens are beautiful the view overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and Gloucester harbor the grounds are very well preserved they have a guided tour or self tour parking is limited but you won't regret it it's worth the trip to see this Mid-Evil Castle they have a gift shop as well then you can take a short drive to see the Fisher man's memorial read more

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We took a ride to Hammond Castle as a day trip. It's been on our list of things to do for a while. This is definitely a place to go when the weather is nice as it's right on the water and it's beautiful outside in the gardens. It cost $25 for each one of us to get in, and took about 45 minutes to go through the museum. There's a lot of very interesting artifacts some dating back to the sixth century. We decided to do the self-guided tour, and I think if I was to go back, I would do the guided tour just to learn more about the different artifacts that were there. Some of the areas were very tight for somebody who was claustrophobic, and we were there during what seemed to be a pretty busy time so we had to stop and wait quite often to let people go past us to get into the next room due to the tight spacing. It was definitely something to check out if you're in that area because it's very unique. We really enjoyed it! read more

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We went to the Hammond Castle for a self guided tour as we were too late to get on a guided tour. Very beautiful castle with all its rooms and outside views of the beautiful ocean. We found out the castle is named after the man John Hays Hammond Jr. who had it constructed for his many artifacts and exhibits for his 400 patents and his work in the study of remote control. The castle was built between 1926-1929 I believe if you like castles and happen to be in this area it's a must see. I have so many pictures of so much stuff there is no way I could load all this on here. Amazing place. Gorgeous top to bottom. The staff is amazing and will answer any question you have. read more

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What a great experience architecture, as well as the art, and the story behind it all was excellent what a beautiful place to visit. Look forward to my next visit. read more

Hammond Castle Museum - The outside of the castle - Museums Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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Overall rating: 4.4 Visited this place over the holidays with family. Not as large as the pictures make it seem and the items are interesting for someone's house. The outside though is absolutely beautiful. Definitely recommend a tour because trying the solo route is not it. I wish the castle represented more than just someone's project. But I guess that's history. read more

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My niece got married over the summer... it was fairy tale wedding venue with an old style charm. Small wedding of 100 guests and perfect venue. Loved the gothic castle and it's Indoor/ Outdoor space. Highly recommend good shoes and warn all seniors of the cobblestone pathways read more

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Castle built in the 1920's that was once used as a lab during the war. Very cool exhibits, both the castle as a residence and the lab area. The outlook on the water is gorgeous and I recommend taking time to soak in the views on the lawn. Beautiful courtyard inside the castle as well. It's fun to explore through the different corridors and floors. Moreover, the north shore is a great place to visit when in MA! read more

Hammond Castle Museum - Museums Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

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This castle is beautiful and amazing! Our tour guide Erin was friendly and a shared a wealth of information with us. I especially liked hearing about Mr. Hammond's pranks :). If you're on the fence about taking the guided tour....do it. There are a lot of steep, spiraling stairs but so worth it to see everything! read more

I'm disabled, and I called to ask about getting tickets to an event and I was informed that there are absolutely zero accommodations made for people with disabilities. The man on the phone told me the corridors are not wheelchair or walker accessible, and that I wouldn't be able to navigate the stairs. That's exactly how he put it. There is also no elevator. I said, "Oh, then I guess I'm just excluded." To which he responded in the affirmative without any hint of compassion or respect. Just a very matter-of-fact tone. So if you wish to attend or hold an event here, and you have guests who have disabilities, you may want to think again. read more

The first time I came to Hammond Castle, I fell in love! Almost booked my wedding there. This time, nope. Almost a 2hr drive for it to have been mostly closed off. Brought my son...he was so excited to see it. Very limited access, which was NOT, mentioned in the ticket buying process. The staff were rude as my son was trying to buy his father a birthday present....like....he was rushing us or was being impatient (staff). When I asked how much something was, he told me $15 and then proceeded to tell me there were more in a basket a little ways away....so I grabbed it. When he rung me up, he said, "$35...". What?!?! I said...as I was paying....you said $15, but anyway.... Long story not so short. For a $50 entrance fee with VERY LIMITED ACCESS....I would call ahead to make sure it's fully available. I mean, the back yard was even closed off. The draw bridge...almost everything that makes it fun and beautiful. read more

Hammond castle is a fun little side trip. Not too expensive for what you get to see. My husband and I were amazed by the architecture. They also start you off with a video even if you don't have a tour guide! It helps you understand the history behind the castle. We were quite impressed! If you have time i recommend you go see it! Right on the water as well. read more

Did the guided tour, which was great and only lasted about 20-30 minutes. Then we got to explore on our own and at our desired pace. Been to this part of MA so many times and I regret not visiting sooner. read more

Strangely enough, I've only visited Hammond Castle at nighttime thus far, but it's always magical. I took my kids to the Santa Experience when they were 5 and once again when they were 8, and both occasions provided sweet wonderful memories that we will cherish forever. I also went on a spiritualism guided tour one evening, which was a new addition to the museum. The tour guide was new and kept apologizing for stumbling a bit on facts and some of the history, but I thought she still did a great job nonetheless. I can't wait to book a daytime tour and learn all there is to learn about this eccentric inventor! read more

Wow, this place is absolutely beautiful. If you love medieval castle, you'll love this place. This place is absolutely magical. Very cool exhibit. Highly recommended! Worth the trip! read more

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DO THE GUIDED TOUR -- Totally worth it! If you have the chance to do a candlelight or Spiritualism Tour, DO IT. THIS is the place to indulge in the occult. You must reserve your tickets online in advance (especially during the fall months). You will also want to arrive as early as possible due to the SMALL parking lot that is on campus for daily visitors. If you are traveling with someone who has a disability, you should call ahead to see if they can accommodate your arrival since the way down from the parking lot is very steep and many were unable to walk down the trail. Tour guides were amazing. Totally worth doing the guided tour for the smallest details that make the castle that much more detailed. There is history with each and every article, picture, utensil, door, fireplace, table, ceiling and even the bricks and cement decor imbedded into the walls. John's castle is a collage of eccentric art. We loved it. read more

I lucked out. I got Eric for my tour guide and while it was a big tour of 20+ people, it didn't matter. Eric is definitely passionate about his job and he knows. And I do believe he loves what he goes. The Hammond Castle is a one-hour trip from downtown Boston and yes, there is the West Gloucester MBTA station that is a 3.5 mile drive if you want try for an Uber or Lyft. The castle has parking and because this is rather rural Massachusetts, they thankfully have a wifi because I got no bars out here. Two hours of wandering, in addition to the 45 minute tour. You'll learn about inventor John Hays Hammond, Jr and his wife Irene. He is consider a pioneer in remote control (he remotely piloted the ship Natalia from Gloucester Harbor to Boston. This technology was used for remote-controlled torpedoes, for instance. Lots to see in the castle, much of which has been restored to the original decorations and displays his collection of eccentric and interesting artworks. And of course, the view from the garden is amazing. Well worth a visit! [Review 17884 overall - 1131 in Massachusetts - 1405 of 2022.] read more

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The Hammond Castle Museum is a really neat mansion of an eccentric millionaire and his eclectic collection of items! The tour guides are very knowledgeable and teach you a lot about the rare artifacts on display at the mansion. It's a really neat experience and certainly a one of a kind house and has really great views of Gulf of Maine. It is very reasonably priced as well. read more

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The castle was beautiful-- especially loved the courtyard! We were there to see if we wanted to do our wedding there and Deb was so gracious and helpful when explaining what petite weddings were typically like. read more

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A Castle full of amazing history and items, no doubt. Outside is beautiful but inside was packed, tight spaces and I felt claustrophobic. Beautiful, but I don't know that I'd pay to visit. read more

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On a recent family trip to Massachusetts, I made a point of visiting Hammond Castle (which I had done back in 1990 and had fond memories). It was just as I remembered - huge and so unique! We had tickets for a partial guided tour, followed by a self-guided tour to explore all the nooks and crannies (inside and out). Everyone really liked it and it was worth the trek. read more

Hammond Castle Museum - Museums Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

This was a very cool museum that was the former home of an inventor who held many patents, some of which we would recognize and be thankful for today. What is so usual about it is the way it changes architectural styles as you make your way through. It's centerpiece is one of the largest pipe organs in the world. The water views are also magnificent. We chose to do the guided tour and while it was informative, we were a bit surprised when the tour ended and we were told to view the rest of the home ourselves. It appeared that those who opted for the self-guided tour were provided with some sort of map, which would have been helpful for our self-guided portion. It was an enjoyable stop in Gloucester, MA and I would recommend it. read more

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Very cool castle. Definitely would be hard to walk around if you have any walking or balance issues or if you have young kids who can't walk or need to be carried. A lot to see inside and out. Feels quite pricey to charge $20 for adults for entry and that's for self-guided tour. One super rude employee who was nasty and condescending to us about not touching something outside which had no sign or any blocked off area and it was near a seating area where people take photos so we had no idea we couldn't touch a small lion statue and take photos with the kids. We wouldn't have done it had we known. read more

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This castle is absolutely amazing. The owner John Hammond made this castle absolutely magnificent. Parking is free on the side of the road. There is a moat but it is non functioning. The interesting fact about this tour is that the owner John Hammond is known for his plethora of inventions and patents. Most of what we do is thanks to him as well. Highly appreciated and highly recommended read more

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They need a ramp or atleast they should open the driveway gate to get to the museum entrance for handicap individuals. They have handicap parking but then getting to the building is not possible. Most people are coming for the exterior (arches) as is. If they gave driveway access that would be good. read more

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A gem of New England Massachusetts. This castle museum has a beautiful array of artifacts and history. The castle is for all ages, and will interest all party members. We opted for the self guided tour , but overheard a few tour guides and would suggest choosing that option. Extremely friendly staff members that were welcoming and knowledgeable. read more

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What an unexpected, fun, quirky place to visit! We bought tickets for a guided tour (same price as self guided!). We ended up being the only two people on the tour so we had a personalized experience. Our tour guide was very informative and the personal flair made this a great stop! Views are lovely, items are intriguing and the history of Hammond's life were so interesting to learn. Def recommend! read more

Hammond Castle Museum - Favorite room on the tour - Museums Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

Absolutely must visit this castle!!! The castle itself is so gorgeous with an amazing view, but there is so much inside to see! There are so many artifacts from Europe from instruments, to artwork to statues, a courtyard with an indoor pool and an extensive collection of exhibits that demonstrate the inventions that Mr. Hammond made. He was a very unique and talented man and it shows throughout the castle. I recommend doing the 1/2 hour guided tour and then exploring on your own. The guides were very informative and friendly. read more

If you want to see a castle, this is a nice place to visit. The view is pretty. I brought my cousin's 7 year old son who enjoyed it a lot. They sell knight hats, swords, and shields there, so it was a pretty spectacular experience for him. Definitely a nice place to bring a little boy. The last time I went there was 20 years ago. And it was still as pretty as ever. Just gorgeous views. read more

This place is fascinating. It was the home of a prolific inventor. He collected things for what he expected would become a museum at his death. There are medieval, Gothic, Spanish, German, Italian and French items. There is also an excellent display regarding his many inventions. He spent the equivalent, in today's dollars, of 8 million dollars on the house. It's not how I would spend 8 million dollars on a house, but it was interesting to see. I recommend it if you are in the area. read more