Powis Castle, Wales
A fascinating castle with very impressive gardens
Powis Castle, which is also known as Castell Coch (the red castle), is close to the town of Welshpool which is just on the Welsh side of the England/Wales border.
The first castle on this elevated site was built in the mid-13th century by Gruffudd ap Gwenwynwyn, the lord of Powys (one of the ancient provinces of Wales). However, his castle was destroyed in 1274 when Gruffudd was defeated and exiled by Llywelyn of Gwynedd, so Gruffudd had to rebuild it when he was able to return three years later.
The castle as seen today is the result of repairs and additions over the centuries, with much of the fabric dating from the 14th and 16th centuries.
The family history of the castle’s owners has been extremely complicated, with the Earls of Powis (the Herbert family) going through two re-creations of the title as the family fell in and out of royal favour at various times. The 4th Earl bequeathed the castle to the National Trust, who therefore acquired it on his death in 1952. Visitors can see most of the important rooms in the castle and also wander through the spectacular gardens and grounds.