POWIS CASTLE; POWYS CASTLE
Site Details
- NPRN
- 29858
- Map Reference
- SJ20NW
- Grid Reference
- SJ2158106455
- Unitary (Local) Authority
- Powys
- Old County
- Montgomeryshire
- Community
- Welshpool
- Type of Site
- MAJOR DWELLING
- Broad Class
- Domestic
- Period
- Medieval;Post Medieval
Site Description
Powis Castle is a medieval castle laid out along a ridge, remodelled and rebuilt, c.1587-1845, producing the existing country house.
The core of the castle is a much altered medieval structure, c.32-40m in diameter, arranged about a central court, with rectilinear outer courts extending north-east and south-west along the ridge, c.162m by 38-46m overall.
On the north-west side is a wide ditch and counterscarp, on the south-east are extensive garden terraces (Nprn23115), part of a wider ornamental lasndscape (see long text attached to Nprn265627), includings offices and farm buildings (Nprn's29860 and 80517).
Wallpaintings at Powis Castle include:
Painted wainscot in Long Gallery and State Bedroom.
Stair; ceiling and walls trompe-d'oeil.
Painted ceiling in library.
Painted ceiling in Blue Drawing Room
Source: RCAHMW Wallpaintings Database. 2004.09.16/RCAHMW/SLE
RCAHMW AP965059/68
J.Wiles 06.11.02
Dendrochronology. South side of Powis Castle. Sampling from the undisturbed east end of the state bedroom showed that this chamber - and by implication the adjoining long gallery - were constructed from timber felled in 1587. The state bed alcove had been constructed shortly after the Restoration using timber from different sources including oak felled in 1663/4. The bed alcove was again adjusted in trhe 19th century probably c. 1814 when a new roof was constructed over the range. Dating commissioned by the National Trust in partnership with RCAHMW and reported in Vernacular Architecture, vol. 36 (2005).
(Richard Suggett/RCAHMW/June 2005).
