On the Friday we decided to re-visit the National Trust property of Croft Castle which is around 30 minutes drive away.
Today nothing remains of the motte and bailey fortification built by Bernard de Croft - a Norman Knight and founder of the Croft family.
There are stories that in the 14th century after Owain Glyndwr's last defeat he evaded capture by moving between Vowchurch and Monnington and Croft Castle. His daughter Jonet married Sir John de Croft in the 1390's and it has been suggested that Owain (a Welsh prince) died at Croft. When the base of a turret room in the SE Tower was excavated in 1923 there was talk that the tall skeleton found there was that of Owain Glyndwr.
In the 16th century Sir James Croft demolished the old castle and built a more comfortable Elizabethan house.
The castle stayed in the Croft family until 1746 when Sir Archer Croft, who lost his fortune in the crash of the South Sea Bubble, sold the estate to Richard Knight from nearby Ludlow. After 170 years the Crofts bought back the castle in 1923. The National Trust took over the property in 1957 but some of the family still have apartments in the house.
I was half tempted to go and have a look round the castle interior but, being the last week of the school holidays, Croft was busier than I have seen it before. So perhaps when we visit again if it is quieter.
The lion guarding the front door is emblematic of the Croft Coat of Arms. The Croft Family Crest incorporated a wounded black dragon or wyvern which may have been created to commemorate Glyndwr's last defeat.
The church of St Michael and All Angels predates the present castle. The bell turret, added in the late 17th century, is surmounted by a leaded ogee cupola with a late 18th or early 19th century weather vane. It also incorporates a rare single handed clock on one of its sides. The present church dates from the 14th century, was enlarged in the 15th century and remodelled in the 18th.
I think this a species of hydrangea? It was certainly attracting many bees.
And then into the Walled Garden.
The Walled Garden was restored from the late 1950's by Diana Uhlman and her volunteers. It covers three and a half acres.
I have no idea what species of plant has produced these purple berries but they were very eyecatching.
After visiting the garden we went on the Ancient Tree Trail again which we enjoyed so much last year but I will write about that in the next post.
Timothy enjoying a tipple - sadly not wine from Croft Castle!
Take care everyone and stay safe and well.
Thankfully the internet has been fixed and superfast broadband is back.
All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera.
Reference: National Trust Guide Book to Croft Castle
8 comments:
What a lovely post, proving there's still lots to look at in the gardens. I do like walled gardens, maybe they make me think of The Secret Garden? I did like the drift of fern in front of the door, and you showed a very unusual hydrangea. Cheers to Timothy! Lovely to see him again.
Rustic Pumpkin - Thanks so much. Still lots to see in gardens as you say. Seedheads and berries and late summer flowers :) Walled Gardens remind me of The Secret Garden too :) Timothy waves back and says hello to Treasure :)
What a lovely place - an easily-doable day out from here too. On the list - you've certainly sold it to me with those super photos.
Bovey Belle - Thanks so much. So glad you liked the post. Do hope you can manage to get there. Many different walks you can do there too.
It looks a fabulous place with so many different areas to choose from as well as the interior which I hope you will go back to at a quieter time. The walled garden is wonderful and I love your photos of all the late summer flowers. Is the hydrangea a paniculata variety, it is lovely:)
Rosie - Thanks so much. I am so glad we discovered Croft as it is lovely whatever the season. I just need to pluck up courage to start going in buildings more! I would wear a mask though! I have just googled hyrangea paniculata so thank you as it looks likely :)
What a coincidence, I have recently posted about my visit to Croft Castle. You didn't miss much by not going inside the castle, it seems rather empty at the moment. Not how I remembered it from previous visits.
Hello Timothy I hope you enjoyed your tipple :-)
CherryPie - Thank you and I enjoyed your posts! Thanks re: the castle interior - will ponder! Timothy waves back :)
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