Powis Castle, A Castle of Portraits & Flowers

Powis Castle, built in the 13th century, is located near Welshpool, in Powys, Wales. It's renowned for its magnificent garden and terraces. We know it as the castle with an overwhelming number of painted selfies of the Herbert family.

We arrived at Powis Castle on a hot summer day. The parking lot was full --perhaps indicative of the impressive sights to come. Even a deer came out to the castle grounds. He may have came to cool off in the shade or perhaps to enjoy the House of Portraits.

Powis Castle was built by the Welsh Prince Gruffudd ap Gwenwynwyn following the end of the Welsh Wars. His son renounced his claim to the title and King Edward I granted him the title of Baron de la Pole. His grandson ended up selling the castle to a distant relative, Sir Edward Herbert, and thus began a long family obsession with collecting what we'd call in modern times, classy selfies. These classy selfies of the Herbert family can be viewed in the Powis Castle House of Portraits, in which photography understandably, is not allowed.

Much more enjoyable to us were the castle grounds & what is considered one of the greatest surviving examples of Baroque garden design in Britain.

The gardens & terrace are set amongst a stunning backdrop of the Breidden Hills.

The terrace was inspired by the palace of St Germain-en Laye in France.

Visitors can find inspiration from the gardens at Powis Castle. We found inspiration in one statue in particular.