Powis Castle and Garden

Features
- audio guides.
- Aviary
- castle drum towers
- castle kitchens
- ceremonial armour
- clipped yew tumps
- Clive Museum South Asian collection
- Croquet Lawn
- Edwardian Formal Garden
- Fountain Garden
- Great Lawn
- Hindu statues
- historic portraits
- Interpretive panels
- Italianate terraces
- medieval gatehouse
- Orangery
- ornamental silver and gold
- second-hand bookshop
- state room furniture
- tapestries
- Van Nost lead statues
- Wilderness Ridge
Description
Powis Castle and Garden, perched above the Severn Valley near Welshpool in Powys, Wales, is a striking red sandstone fortress with origins in the mid-13th century and now managed by the NAtional Trust. Built by Gruffudd ap Gwenwynwyn to assert independence from rival Welsh princes, it served as a defensive stronghold during turbulent medieval power struggles. Its elevated position and thick walls made it a formidable bastion, later reinforced with drum towers and battlements under the Charlton Lords in the 14th century.
Over centuries, Powis evolved from a military fortress into a stately home, reflecting the ambitions of the Herbert and Clive families. The castle’s interiors showcase opulent state rooms, tapestries, and furniture, while the Clive Museum houses over 1,000 South and East Asian artifacts collected during Britain’s colonial rule in India. These include ceremonial armour, Hindu statues, and ornamental silver, offering insight into imperial history and its legacies.
The gardens are equally renowned. Italianate terraces, clipped yew tumps, and Edwardian formal layouts descend dramatically from the castle’s base. Originally designed by William Winde in the 1680s and later enhanced by Lady Violet Herbert in the early 20th century, they blend Baroque grandeur with Arts and Crafts planting.
Queen Victoria visited Powis Castle in 1832, and the gardens still retain lead statues from Van Nost’s workshop, a rare survival of 18th-century garden sculpture.
Facilities include a second-hand bookshop, Courtyard Café, Garden Coffee Shop (seasonal), gift shop, accessible toilets, baby-changing stations, electric vehicle charging points, and free parking. Guided tours, audio guides, and seasonal exhibitions enrich the visitor experience.
Photo credit: Barry Marsh