Today I’m visiting Powis Castle with the CLA Women’s Network to meet new some people and to hear about the history of the castle and gardens. It’s set to be an interesting day. 

I came here a few years ago for a day out with the family and it is stunning. It’s a red sandstone medieval fortress set on the hills above Welshpool but you can’t really see it from the main road as you head towards Welshpool. Once you arrive though, it towers over you and you certainly feel like it’s in command of its setting.  

The castle has a beautiful view across the valley and its gardens that flow down the steep, terraced hill. Along the top terrace are a line of yew trees which look like they’ve bubbled up and over the walls like lava. They almost look like friendly, amorphous giants guarding the castle asleep during the day and wake at night to chuckle over something the visitors said. There are many of these billowing yew hedges here and they are massive. It must take days, or weeks even, to cut them every year. Well done you, they look spectacular. 

Update…it’s not a red sandstone building at all. In fact the stones themselves are grey (and I hesitate to suggest which stone it is now!) and only the mortar between the stones is red. Just goes to show that the finer details make a big impact!