Powis Castle (Pool, Poole, Pole Castle) (Castell Coch) (Red Castle)Powys
Wales
History /
Gardens & Park / Movies
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| Earlier House(s) / Building(s) | ||||
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| Originally built circa 1200 for Welsh princes
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| House & Family History | ||||
| Powis was built by Welsh princes and the site was known to have had a castle or fortress building since at least 1196. During medieval times Powis was known as Pool, Poole, or Pole Castle. Locally it was also known by the names Red Castle or Castell Coch. The reference made in the name Red Castle was on account of the red stone from which the Castle is built. In 1587 Powis was sold to Sir Edward Herbert, the second son of William Herbert, the first Earl of Pembroke. Sir Edward’s mother was Anne Parr, sister of Catherine Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII. Sir Edward’s wife was Catholic and their children were raised in the Roman faith. In Oct of 1644 the Castle was captured by Parliamentary troops (the Herberts were supporters of the King) and not returned to the family until the restoration of Charles II in 1660. The 3rd Lord Powis (created Earl Powis in 1674 and Marquess of Powis in 1685) was one of James II’s chief ministers and followed him into exile in 1688. This Lord Powis had the interiors of the House fitted out, probably by William Winde, in the 1660s-1680s. In 1748 the Castle was inherited by Henry Arthur Herbert, a Protestant, who was created Earl of Powis by George II. Lady Henrietta Herbert, daughter of Lord Powis, married Edward Clive in 1784. Clive was the son of the famous “Clive of India” and brought new wealth to the depleted estates of Powis. The State Bedroom, circa 1661, is the only surviving bedroom in Britain where the balustrade rails off the state bed (canopied 18th century mahogany) in its alcove from the rest of the room in the French style. The Long Gallery is the only surviving Elizabethan interior dating from Sir Edward Herbert's acquisition of the Castle in 1587. The Grand Staircase has a large ceiling canvas by Antonia Verrio. The grounds contain the Clive Museum, displaying myriad Indian treasures brought back by Clive of India and his son. In 1952 the Castle was given to The National Trust by the 4th Earl of Powis. | ||||
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Collections
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| Powis contains one of the finest collections of paintings and furniture in Wales. A tiger’s head from the rail of Tipu Sultan’s throne and Tipu’s shoes and sword are part of the booty of Clive of India on display in the Clive Museum at the Castle. Bernardo Belloto’s "View of Verona" was sold in 1981 for £160,000 to remain on site. Nicolas Poussin’s "The Finding of Moses" was a shared purchase by The National Gallery and The National Museum of Wales. The 19th century state coach and livery, the finest in the ownership of The National Trust, is on display in the Coach House. | ||||
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| “(Powis’s) grand situation, its charming and magnificent Prospects, its extensive woody Parks of many hundred acres...render it one of the first Seats in the Kingdom.” -Sir John Cullum, 1774. The Long Gallery has been called one of the most romantic rooms in Britain. | ||||
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| Gardens
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| Garden, Park, Follies and Outbuildings | ||||
| Powis is world famous for its terraced gardens, probably designed by William Winde in the 1680s. Overhung with enormous clipped yews, the Garden still has its original lead statues, an Orangery, and an Aviary on the Terraces. Much of this was laid out under French and Italian stylistic influences. In the 18th century an informal woodland wilderness was created. Sir Richard Colt Hoare wrote in 1806 that Powis had the potential to be “a Villa D’Este in miniature.” Powis one had a smaller version of the Chatsworth Cascade; sadly, no traces remain of this water garden today. The Castle is today surrounded by a medieval Deer Park. There are some massive oaks on the Estate that may be as much as 800 years old. An Edwardian Dower House is extant on the Estate. Starting in 1911, Violet, wife of the 4th Earl, started the repair and restoration of the gardens; the look she created is part of the gardens today. | ||||
| Chapel & Church | ||||
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| Movies
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| Location for Movies / TV | ||||
| "National Trust: National Treasures" (2006 - one of 10-part documentary). | ||||
