06/25/2026
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It doesn’t get any more unique in Tennessee than spending a few nights at the royal castle known as the Williamswood Castle in Knoxville! Tucked away in South Knoxville along the Tennessee River, this private stone castle feels worlds away from the city, even though downtown Knoxville is only about ten minutes away. The property is gated and private, so it is not a walk-up attraction, but guests who book the full castle as an overnight rental get to experience one of the most unusual stays in the state.
Williamswood Castle was built in the early 1990s by Julia Williams as a tribute to her son Bill, and the whole place was created with a mix of imagination, love, and salvaged pieces gathered from around East Tennessee. The castle stretches across more than 4,500 square feet and was modeled after a Scottish hunting lodge, with towers, stonework, hand-carved wood details, antique furniture, themed bedrooms, a private pub, secret spaces, and a bookshelf that opens to reveal a hidden staircase.
Inside, you’ll also find 42 leaded stained-glass windows and a large bedroom with a ceiling painted in the style of the Sistine Chapel. Outside, the castle sits beside Ijams Nature Center, surrounded by more than 300 acres of woods, with ponds, gardens, patios, a multi-level deck, and about 500 feet of Tennessee River frontage. Between the river views, the castle details, the hidden passageways, and the chance to sleep inside a real-life fantasy setting, Williamswood Castle turns a personal family memorial into one of Tennessee’s most unforgettable overnight getaways.
