A new chapter for Lympne Castle

Credit: Scott Collier

A Canadian television personality who lives by the word “unscripted” has packed her bags and moved 6,000km around the world to the UK, snapping up the 1,000-year-old Medieval castle she now calls home.

Self-made serial entrepreneur Dr Ann Kaplan Mulholland, whose net worth is more than £500 million is one of the stars of The Real Housewives of Toronto and is a household name in her native Canada. She and hubby Dr Stephen Mulholland, a world-renowned plastic surgeon, threw caution to the wind after their youngest of eight children flew the next and decided to buy a bolthole in Britain.

The couple purchased the historical, romantic and regal Grade I listed Lympne Castle in Kent overlooking Romney Marsh and the English Channel. “I was drawn to the beauty of its architecture, the magic of visiting, let alone owning, an actual castle and the beautiful English countryside. Visiting Lympne Castle was like fulfilling a dream,” Ann says.

As well as providing a glorious home for the Kaplan Mulholland family, the Castle will also continue in its long-established use as a wedding venue. In fact, Ann raced to the rescue of dozens of couples who'd been told by the previous owners that their forthcoming nuptials at the castle had been cancelled due to the sale. But not only did Ann agree to honour those dates, she has given the nearlyweds a 20 per discount on their big day! Ann says, “What couple wouldn't want to be married in a castle? Just over an hour from London by car, Lympne Castle offers a true fantasy experience.” Plans are already afoot to film a docu-reality series about Lympne Castle and the couple's forthcoming adventures.

The duo plan to invest £20million undertaking a grand renovation of the Castle, which dates back to the 1080s when Saint Thomas Becket was a resident. Ann's ultimate vision is to transform the Castle into a one-of-a-kind medieval tourist destination, conference and events venue. She explains, “Imagine as a guest being transported back in time to experience visiting the Castle centuries ago, with the fun, music and atmosphere, knights of the realm greeting you, plus jesters, stewards and ladies dressed in clothing of the period.” Ann will hire local people and suppliers, and is looking forward to supporting the local community, giving the Castle a new lease of life, while preserving it for generations to come.

You can stay up to date at www.lympne-castle.com