Castell Coch

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     Click here to visit the Castell Coch micro site.

Late nineteenth-century 'fairytale'-style castle, built on medieval remains, designed for the third marquess of Bute by William Burges

Burges's finest achievement is surely his breath-taking Drawing Room with its imposing Gothic vaulted ceiling leading upwards to a golden sunburst at its apex. Equally eye-catching is the stunning two-tier chimney piece which features the three Fates of Greek mythology who controlled the threads of human life: Clothos, Lachesis and Atropos.

More akin to a set from a Wagner opera than a medieval inner ward, the courtyard is highly decorated with 19th century galleries and wall-walks - Burges's original plans being even more lavish. However, the locations of the three towers and much of the curtain wall are actually medieval, so the basic layout was preserved by the Victorians.

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