Reigning Over Renovation: A Royal Chat With Dr. Ann Kaplan Mulholland

What happens when a powerhouse entrepreneur and former Real Housewife trades Toronto high-rises for a medieval castle in the English countryside? Queen of the Castle, CTV Life’s newest docuseries, follows Dr. Ann Kaplan Mulholland as she takes on the ultimate transformation—turning Lympne Castle into a world-class destination. Between lavish renovations, eccentric guests, and unexpected friendships, the series is a captivating mix of grandeur, grit, and glamour. We caught up with Ann to talk about castle life, her bold vision, and why this project is more than just bricks and mortar. —Noa Nichol

What inspired you and Stephen to take on the ambitious project of restoring a medieval castle, and how did you decide on Lympne Castle specifically?

It goes like this…after our six children moved out, we decided to pursue the dream: we moved to England, we looked for somewhere to live, there was this castle for sale, Lympne Castle, we bought it, and, voila, we had a home project.

Somehow, I missed the last chapter of those princess books … the one after “… and she lived happily ever after”. The non-existent chapter about the princess’s life overseeing a perpetual renovation, having to work with tradesmen that lift shovels only under the watchful eyes of heritage councils (who’s the guy in the suit and wellies taking notes?). All while trying to find out where to put a pipe in a thousand-year-old building where inhabitants sat on a windowsill with a hole that dropped, well, “refuse” to the gardens below. No pipes, but great fertilizer.

You could say that we had a vision when we bought the castle, but it just evolved. It did not take long to realize that there is some disconnect between the fantasy of owning a castle and the actual enormity of work involved to maintain one. I would compare it to realizing you missed the footnote that said “fragile, assembly required” and “do not touch without approval”. 

The problem, if you were to pick just one, is that a castle situated on 145 acres of protected land is expensive (a relative measure) to maintain. When one has the ambition to turn that castle into a world-class destination, put in a wedding venue, multiple restaurants, and a hotel…well, it gets a little more complicated.

There is a saying “Go big or go home”. But when your castle is your home…

How did your background as an entrepreneur and socialite prepare you for this massive renovation.

The socialite thing is never how I would describe myself…I guess because I have always been a businessperson. I believe it is that I never shied away from wearing outrageous business suits and sky-high Louboutin’s to meet with bankers and likely because I have walked the odd red-carpet to promote this or that.

Before I did my doctorate (in finance), and before I did my MSc and MBA, I actually did a degree in interior design at The Design Institute of San Diego. I opened my own store in British Columbia, worked as an interior designer overseeing commercial and residential projects…so the management side and understanding of renovations and new builds was engrained in me.

Although a far leap from designing, I wanted to build a business that did not involve my presence at every decision point. I started a national finance company then expanded into insurance and real estate, overseeing over 100 employees. I guess one could say I am an entrepreneur – they could also say other things – but I will accept “entrepreneur” and, when one is an entrepreneur, the idea of buying something then turning it into a very large business is like being in line for a warm Krispy Kream (if you eat carbs).

What have been the biggest challenges so far?

Owning a castle is one thing, renovating one a whole other series. It’s like scrolling through the movie listings – do you pick “Fantasy”, “Home Renovation”, “Drama” or “Comedy”?

What I mean is that one of the challenges of navigating the renovation of a castle is that there is no end to the reality (oh, that’s another category: “Reality”) that every decision requires layers of over-sight by somewhat non-existent people that work for government organizations that hold the approval stamp and red ink pad. It is almost comical (if one has a sense of humour and box of Kleenex).

The other challenge is staffing. Following Brexit, much of the work force left the UK. Because the castle is (beautifully) situated in southern England, there are limitations to finding workers, and even more limitations to finding contractors and trades people. Couple staff (once we find them) are required to wear medieval suits, the outfit of a knights or jesters (this is in the job description).

The show blends luxury, history, and a bit of chaos—how did you balance modernizing the castle while still preserving its historic charm?

Modernizing the Lympne Castle is a challenge. One example is that there are limited bathrooms (aka loos or toilets) and we cannot add plumbing or pipes where floorboards or stone is disrupted. The impact of this is that most of the hotel rooms of the castle will have shared bathrooms. Now, this may sound odd to modern North America, but this is not uncommon in England. Acceptance is the solution for this.

Another challenge is the electrical. Light switches (if you can find one) that seem to go nowhere and looking for an outlet is more difficult than “Where’s Waldo”. Again, it is understanding just what you can do, where you can add a switch and who will go through the tunnels under the castle to check for wires? (we have a box of head lights).

You’re known for your sharp wit and glamorous lifestyle. How did life in a small English town compare to your previous experiences in Canada?

Maybe I went back to my roots when we move to the Kent countryside. I had grown up in Victoria BC, a beautiful small town. I rode my bike to school, endured the rain (like all Brits do) and was raised by an English mother. In a way, it is like going home.

But, between rural Victoria and moving to a small English Town later in life, a lot happened. I married (a few times) had kids (a lot), worked (like a dog) and somehow the perception of that being “glamorous” was mistaken for the reality. Don’t get me wrong, it was enjoyable (save for finding kids with pot or when my first husband put hot sauce on my retainer…but that’s another article). My life before the castle was a balance that all working mothers have (now I sound like Megan Markle – erase that)…correction, My life before the castle was glamorous, I did work, but had the means and income to wear shoes with red bottoms, was invited to galas, starred in a number of tv shows and, along the way, found a bit of humour in everything. I knew that underneath all the chiffon, the Dior eyeliner, the silicone, and Botox was (and is) a person (just like everyone else).

Throughout the series, you forge connections with the local community. What has been the most surprising or heartwarming aspect of integrating into life in Hythe?

I did not expect to be welcomed by the community. In fact, we bought the castle without any understanding of the “community life” that is one of the great charms of England. We were still mispronouncing “Lympne” when we first met one of our neighbors. (Lympne is pronounced: limb)

I remember finding out there was a local historian named “Rosemary” (she is on the show). It was late February, so a bit cold and, of course, raining. I contacted her and invited her over for “tea” (serving tea in England is complicated). Rosemary arrived in all her glory: warm sweater, wellies (boots), umbrella and a wit that put me at ease immediately. We sat in front of the roaring fire.

Rosemary told us tales of her visit to the castle, the past owners (she had lived in the area for fifty years). We listened, sipped tea (or is it “supped”?) and I made a friend.

Less than a month later, after facing personal challenges and wanting to find solace, I showed up at the local church for Sunday service. I was very surprised to a) be recognized and b) be embraced.

From that day forward I had two revelations, obvious to others, but I had not thought about it before hand. One revelation was that I do not have an English accent, I am half Hawaiian (not many Hawaiians in England) and I dress weird – so people in England will recognize me. It’s like buying a dozen white eggs and you open the box and one of them is brown. You say, “what’s the brown egg doing in here?”, but you don’t throw it out and you don’t think about it further.

The other revelation, and a welcome one, that followed that first (of many) days at church, was the community.  I look forward to seeing everyone, to their kindness and warmth and I feel welcome. It is magical. People stop to say hello, to discuss the weather and, from time to time, give me a hug. I play Scrabble with them, we have tea (I still drink roasted rice infused green tea – they politely decline) and have been invited to their homes.

Being welcomed by a community was unexpected but has been the greatest and most cherished part of our journey and of purchasing Lympne Castle. 

What was the most unexpected or bizarre moment that happened during the renovation process? Any major hiccups that almost derailed your vision?

Aside from iron knight statues on horses arriving and they are too heavy to lift off the truck, or getting the approvals to fix a leak on the top of a turret with a material that does not involve tar or asphalt, or crawling through tunnels to check on plumbing…a day in the life of renovating a castle is pretty average.

In reality, it is one step forward and wait…with the oversight of heritage councils, there is a process. But, aside from that minor inconvenience, there have been some very large hiccups.

1. Pigeons had housed themselves in an area below one of the castle roofs. Men with hazmat suits had to find an entry point and literally dig out bird dropping that would fill half a skiff.
2. The pond that the castle looks down to had a lime green covering (it is quite beautiful, positioned with a large tree and a fountain in the centre). For over a year I researched natural ways to remove algae. We tried hay bales and other non-invasive solutions to no avail. Finally, we considered Koi fish (they eat algae). Given the climate and that we have a team of gardeners that can feed and care for the fish, we went for it. A few hundred Koi fish were delivered, we ceremoniously integrated them to the pond and a solution was had. Or was it? Six months later, Koi fishes still abundant, we still had a green surface. The pond is green so, like everything in England, we will rename it and it is what it is: “green pond”.

Beyond the show, what are your long-term plans for the castle? Will it become a luxury retreat, event space, or something else entirely?

The long-term plan for the Lympne Castle is to turn it into a world-class destination. A luxury hotel situated on 145 acres overlooking the English Channel. It will be an experience destination, embracing medieval England, but with the luxury and comforts of modern day.

For viewers who love the mix of opulence and adventure in Queen of the Castle, what do you hope they take away from watching your journey?

Well, my plastic surgeon husband stopped operating, I sold my business, our sixth child left for university, and we moved to England and bought a castle.  I cannot speak for others, but when I look back at the direction our lives took, the decisions we made to continue our journey side by side, and the emotional side of starting a new chapter, I hope that viewers will relate…or just laugh with me. The worst, or the best thing, is that if it doesn’t work out, it sure makes great TV.