Powis Castle Terrace II
Looking up at the formidable structure of Powis Castle from the Aviary Terrace.
With its Italian and French-influenced garden and commanding position high above the Severn Valley, near Welshpool in Mid Wales, Powis Castle – Castell Powis or Castell Coch in Welsh – is both a dominating fortress and splendid stately home.
Originally a medieval fortress built in the early 13th century for the Welsh princes of Powys, the castle developed over the years to become a family mansion for the Herbert family, who laid out the French and Italian-influenced formal gardens with their grand terracing, statues and orangery.
Still standing in much the same way as it did at the height of its power – due in no small part to its continuous occupation – the buildings, towers gatehouses and all, date originally from the 13th century, although developed and extended up to the 19th.
The castle became home to the Herbert family, the present occupants, in 1578, with Sir Edward Herbert carrying out extensive repair work over the following 30 years.
The Royalist family were thrown out by the Parliamentarians during the Civil War, but had the castle returned upon the Restoration, needing once more to repair and renovate.
The gardens date from the 1670s, when William Winde was responsible for improvements to the castle under the guidance of William, third Lord Powis, and possibly led the landscaping work as well. They were further improved in the early 20th century.
The Herberts married into the family of Clive of India in the 19th century, allowing the castle to remain in good shape – today, it houses the Clive Museum with fine French and English furniture and Italian art.
Powis was given to the National Trust in 1952, the family finally moving out completely in 1988.
Powis Castle Terrace II
Looking up at the formidable structure of Powis Castle from the Aviary Terrace.
With its Italian and French-influenced garden and commanding position high above the Severn Valley, near Welshpool in Mid Wales, Powis Castle – Castell Powis or Castell Coch in Welsh – is both a dominating fortress and splendid stately home.
Originally a medieval fortress built in the early 13th century for the Welsh princes of Powys, the castle developed over the years to become a family mansion for the Herbert family, who laid out the French and Italian-influenced formal gardens with their grand terracing, statues and orangery.
Still standing in much the same way as it did at the height of its power – due in no small part to its continuous occupation – the buildings, towers gatehouses and all, date originally from the 13th century, although developed and extended up to the 19th.
The castle became home to the Herbert family, the present occupants, in 1578, with Sir Edward Herbert carrying out extensive repair work over the following 30 years.
The Royalist family were thrown out by the Parliamentarians during the Civil War, but had the castle returned upon the Restoration, needing once more to repair and renovate.
The gardens date from the 1670s, when William Winde was responsible for improvements to the castle under the guidance of William, third Lord Powis, and possibly led the landscaping work as well. They were further improved in the early 20th century.
The Herberts married into the family of Clive of India in the 19th century, allowing the castle to remain in good shape – today, it houses the Clive Museum with fine French and English furniture and Italian art.
Powis was given to the National Trust in 1952, the family finally moving out completely in 1988.