Welsh fixer upper now finest castle walk in UK

“The historical sources refer to the area as Pool or Pole, from which comes the modern Welshpool. "Pool' was the stronghold of the Welsh princes of Powys, who held an ambivalent position between the Welsh and the English. Their rivalry with the house of Gwynedd, coupled with a practical appreciation of their situation, tended to drive them towards the English, although expediency could persuade them the other way. In 1196, Gwenwynwyn ap Owain Cyfeilog was driven out of his castle (Domen Castell?) by a combined force of English and Welsh, but recovered it during the following year. Llywelyn ap Iorwerth of Gwynedd conquered Powys in 1218, forcing Gwenwynwyn into English exile, where he died, but his son Gruffydd returned on Llywelyn's death in 1240. Gruffydd fled when Llywelyn ap Gruffydd recaptured the area for Gwynedd in 1257, but the success of Simon de Montfort, whom Llywelyn supported against Henry III, persuaded him to change his allegiance in 1264. His new loyalty was short-lived, however; he was discovered plotting against Llywelyn in 1274. His castle (probably this one) was reportedly razed to the ground, and Gruffydd again fled.

He returned with Edward I's victorious army in the first Welsh campaign of 1277, and subsequently held his regained lands from the English crown. He was succeeded in 1286 by his son Owain, better known as Baron de la Pole. The lordship passed via Owain's daughter Hawys to the Cherleton family, and in 1578 came into the hands of Sir Edward Herbert, in whose family it has remained.

The castle Sir Edward took over was probably in serious need of repair and modernisation, and he undertook extensive work between 1587 and 1595, of which only the long gallery survives. His wife Mary brought Catholicism into the family. The Herberts remained staunchly Royalist during the Civil War, but Powis Castle was captured by Parliamentarian forces under Sir Thomas Myddelton in 1644. It seems to have been garrisoned during the remainder of the war, necessitating extensive rebuilding and refurbishment after the Restoration in 1660.”

“Powis Castle is top National Trust walk in online

A tourist attraction in Powys has been named as the best National Trust walk in an online poll run by the charity.

Powis Castle near Welshpool beat seven other National Trust sites in the vote as part of its walking festival.

The castle was built around 800 years ago but has been extensively remodelled over many years and is surrounded by a 10.5-hectare (26-acre) garden.

Croome Park in Worcestershire was second and Newton Pool in Northumberland was third.

Each of the nominated walks was championed by a celebrity, with weather presenter Sian Lloyd backing Powis Castle.

Alison Dyer, the castle's assistant visitor services manager, said: "We are delighted to win this vote.

"It is a real tribute to the beauty of Powis Castle and the joy that many people receive from exploring our grand Italianate terraces, dancing statues and lavish herbaceous borders, framed by a beautiful red Welsh castle."

The vote was organised as part of the trust's walking festival, which was held during October.

More than 62,000 people took part in events at 376 National Trust properties across the UK.”