The early history of this Castle is dominated by some noble kings including Henry IV who established it, Henry V who rode out of this very door to Agincourt and then Henry VI.
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| Out this very door |
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| And down this very road |
Over the years it has been owned privately by various families, relations of the King in the 15th century, prominent noble Herefordshire folk, a Vicountess of Hereford and a travelling American who bought it after spending 10 minutes in the library. He was not the last owner but the subsequent owners have had to put it on the market again and always for the same reason.....the cost of maintenance. If you have a cool 12 million you could purchase this castle today, but the upkeep will cripple you, just heating alone is exorbitant and it has been the same story throughout the ages. It has been repaired and changed so it's in pretty good nick, but without further work it will fade.
It is being kept open these day by a wonderful group of volunteers with entry fees and mandatory Teas and Scones, helping the cause, and it's a magical setting for weddings. There are 10 rooms available for overnight accommodation too, so that makes the whole prospect very appealing.
Breakfast will be provide in the Dining Room which was reminiscent of Government House in Canberra, just a little up it's own bottom.
A walk through the original Victorian gardens is stunning. A walled garden with herbaceous borders, a maze, a sunken garden with a waterfall and a secret passage I chose not to enter, a kitchen garden and a woodland. Just a splendid day out.
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| Wisteria Walk without the flowers |
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| Mr Bumble Bee |
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| Looked too scary for me... |
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