Visitors to the romantic 11th century Bickleigh Castle no doubt assumed they would be treated in a suitably regal manner.
What they might not have banked on is the presence of two out of control dogs responsible for biting a postman on his bottom and bruising a young waiter's nose.
Robert Hay, 71, the wealthy owner of the sprawling property, is said to have allowed his two black Labradors, Doubleé and Rona, to run wild at the historic venue.
He pleaded guilty yesterday (TUES) to three charges relating to his dogs' errant behaviour.
Exeter Magistrates Court heard that Doubleé had been a popular attraction at the venue for many years but the dog's free reign of the grounds came to an abrupt end after he excitedly leapt up at a teenager.
The 16-year-old waiter was left with a bruised nose and a one centimetre-deep cut to the face. He also needed a rabies jab as a precaution.
Hay said at the time: "I think he saw someone coming out of the kitchen and jumped up to see of there was anything for him.
"Unfortunately that has flagged up when someone got a bruise - it was not a bite.
"It's a rather unfortunate circumstance. It's essentially a death sentence on our dog."
Hay was subsequently banned from allowing his dog to mingle with guests at the castle but after a plea to a court, Doubleé avoided being put down.
He should have been muzzled in public areas following the incident, magistrates heard.
But he later snapped at a jogger running along the country lane next to the castle.
And in October last year, the dog "snapped" at delivery man Mark Peters.
The following day, Rona was deemed "dangerously out of control" when she injured Mr Peters as he tried to deliver a newspaper by digging her teeth into his backside.
He was left with a bruised and tooth-marked buttock, the court heard.
Barrister Simon Morgan, for Hay, said previously that the injury was "not the most serious" although he conceded it may have been "uncomfortable".
Hay's wife Sarah, 65, said: "Three thousand people have been here and Doubleé has never had a single incident like this.
"When you look at him, he just wouldn't hurt anyone."
But Hay admitted failing to control Doubleé and breaching a dog control order made after the dog injured the teenager.
He also admitted that Rona had been dangerously out of control when she bit Mr Peters.
Shaun Tipton, prosecuting, said the police were seeking destruction orders against both dogs and a banning order against their owner.
He said professional assessments were to be carried out on their behavioural problems before a ruling on whether they should be put down.
Mr Tipton said rehoming the dogs, particularly Doubleé the elder of the two, may cause the animal distress and in both cases only move the problem to another area.
But police said the dogs could not remain at the castle.
Peter Seigne, defending, said he would send an expert report to the Crown Prosecution Service to respond to the issue of destroying the dogs and a banning order on Hay.
The case has now been adjourned until next month when the dogs' fate will be decided.
Bickleigh Castle, perched on the banks of the River Exe in Tiverton, Devon, dates back to the 11th century.
Charles I's queen Henrietta Maria stayed there before fleeing to France during the Civil War. The buildings fell into disrepair before they were restored early in the 20th century.
The grounds are currently used to host lavish five-star wedding ceremonies with Hay and his wife Sarah hosting hundreds of events since they bought it more than 10 years ago.
Wedding packages for a weekend start at £12,000.