Hi All! So I've been a bit scattered lately, traveling and such, and it's been tough to get a chance to sit with my computer undisturbed (read: keeping two french bulldogs and two jack russells from destroying my parent's house) ! I've been wanting to get back to you all, so, let's get to it!!
The first home (um, not so much a home as a castle!) I'd like to highlight in the Stately Home series is Powis Castle located near the town of Welshpool, Wales. Last June, while visiting my family, I had the opportunity to pay a visit - and it was certainly not disappointing!!! The drive into Wales has always been one of my favourites, with the rolling hills, and all the greenery. It's absolutely idyllic. Powis Castle sits on the top of a huge hill, as any good castle should, so it's a bit of a trek from the car park but oh so worth it.
It's the seat of the Earl of Powis, and it's known for it's extensive, and gorgeous gardens - when she was a Princess, Queen Victoria visited with her mother on a tour of England and Wales in 1832.
So, some time around 1200, the Welsh princes of Powis began building their new stronghold on an outcropping of limestone with panoramic views over the River Severn. Yes, waaay back in the day, before Wales was conquered, it was divided into many different independent kingdoms, Powis being one of them. Due to boundary changes, and the equal division of patrimony, few princes ever came close to ruling all of Wales. After Edward I conquered Wales, the last hereditary Prince of Wales, Owain ap Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn, then renounced his royal claim title, and was granted the title Baron de la Pole.
The Earl of Powis is a title that has been created three times. Through the course of history, the castle was turned over from Owain's descendent and sold to the second son of the Earl of Pembroke. Powis was turned over to Parliamentary troops was wasn't returned to the family until the restoration of Charles II. It was passed from lord to lord and earl to earl by different Kings - until becoming a National Trust property in 1952, upon the death of the 4th Earl of Powis.
If you are in a rush, and can only stay for a bit, I would totally wander through the gardens, and take in the outside of the house as you do (there are 25 acres of them!). The beautiful 5 tiered garden will keep you entranced for hours. And remember, what goes down must come up! But I swear it's worth the walk. They are said to be the best surviving examples of baroque garden architecture in the United Kingdom. Wander the apple orchards or check out the deer in the medieval deer park - then have some tea in one of the cafes. Powis Castle makes a great day out, and is one of my favourite properties. Hope you have a chance to get there!!
Q&C xx
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| The beautiful gardens of Powis Castle |
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The whimsical, towering hedges of Powis Castle.
FYI, four gardeners spend three months clipping these babies! |
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| One of the resident male peacocks |
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| The gardens at Powis Castle |
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| Powis Castle |
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| One of the beautiful, terraced gardens. |
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| The gardens |
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Hard to see, but this tree has been shaped throughout the years,
and you can now walk underneath the bows. |
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| Can you imagine trimming this? |
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| One of the terraces |
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