Another Trip to Herefordshire - Part 4: More from Croft Castle - The Walled Garden and Castle Interior

 

On the Saturday afternoon after we had looked around the Ghost Tree Exhibition we wandered into the 3.5 acre walled garden which was restored in the 1950's.  The restoration was due to Diana Uhlman, her daughter Caroline Compton, the gardener and volunteers.  Diana wanted to reflect the "Picturesque" Movement.

The Owain Glyndwr Connection

Owain Glyndwr's daughter married Sir John Croft in the 1390's so the Croft family were caught up in Glyndwr's 1400 Welsh revolt against the reign of King Henry IV of England.

Following Owain Glyndwr's final defeat he evaded capture and was last seen in 1412.  It has been suggested the prince moved between Monnington Straddle at Vowchurch and Croft Castle during his final days.  He may have died at Croft Castle. In 1920 the base of the turret room in the SE tower was excavated and there is speculaton that the tall skeleton found there was that of Owain Glyndwr.

However it has to be said that I have also heard that he was buried in a mound at Monnington Straddle and a Welsh historian has suggested he is buried in the chapel at Kimbolton church (based on evidence from manuscripts in the National Archives).

Wyvern and lion (the latter emblematic of the Croft's family coat of arms) standing guard at the main door to the castle.

I left B sitting on a bench and had a quick look round the interior rooms that are open to the public. Despite having been to Croft Castle many times in recent years this is actually the first time I have ventured into it!

There are 6 rooms downstairs and one upstairs that you can see although I didn't bother with the latter. It was a really quick whizz round the rooms as I also wanted to revisit the church and it wasn't fair to leave B sitting on a bench for too long.

Principal Salon

The Blue Room

Ghosts

There are reports of two ghosts appearing from time to time at Croft Castle. Firstly, a tall ghostly man dressed in leather who could be Owain Glyndwr who had a connection with the castle (see above).

Secondly, sightings of the benign ghost of Sir James Croft who built today's castle. The ghost can be seen when building work is in progress. He appears for a few seconds as if inspecting the changes and then fades away.

There are already far too many photos in this blog post! so I will write about my visit to St Michael and All Angels in a separate post.

All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera. (I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one of mine or my son's I would be grateful for an email first - thanks).

Reference:

National Trust Guide Book to Croft Castle

"Haunted Herefordshire" by Rupert Matthew, Logaston Press, 2008.

Coughton Court - Part 1: The Walled Garden

B and I had a day out yesterday at Coughton Court. Last year I visited in June with a friend and we discovered the Walled Garden which is a total delight at this time of year. Paths meander through a huge variety of roses and perennials and there are hidden arbours, statues and sundials.

Apologies for the huge amount of photos - I found it hard to whittle them down!

The only downside was the fact that the garden was teeming with people possibly because we arrived at 12.00 just as the Walled Gardens open. It was certainly quieter later in the afternoon when we returned for a further look before leaving. National Trust properties, particularly in Warwickshire, always seem to be very busy although its noticeable the further you get from the house and tea room, the quieter it becomes! Its a bit like when you go on holiday and the beach near the car park is always jam-packed with people but you only need to walk a few hundred yards to find a more peaceful place.

I'll do a further post over the weekend showing the orchards, vegetable garden, bog garden, river and woodland walk and a few photos from inside the house which has a fascinating history.