The weather was looking favourable so Mr C decided today was the day to visit Harlech Castle which had been on his ‘To Do’ list for some time. Before set off he prepared some brisket and vegetables and put them in the slow cooker to bubble away whilst we were on our travels.

Along the way we stopped for lunch at the Bluebell Park Café where our choice of food was freshly prepared for us. We arrived in Harlech to glorious sunshine, perfect weather for exploring a castle.

Before heading home we had cake looking over the spectacular view of the Snowdonia peaks. We were accompanied by sparrows hopping on the table to pick up stray crumbs. One cheeky little Chappy thought he might do a duck and dive for my cake, even when I picked the plate off the table and held it closer to me. When I finally put the plate back on the table he returned, grabbed the largest crumb and flew off with it.

Photo taken by Mr C

Photo taken by Mr C

Photo taken by Mr C

So striking was the massive circular tower built by Roger Picard II that his castle became known as Tretower – or ‘the place of the tower’.

Over two centuries, from about 1100, the Picards transformed themselves from invading Norman adventurers to powerful Welsh lords.

So this monumental tower with four storeys and stone walls nine feet thick wasn’t merely for protection. It was social climbing made visible, an open imitation of the castles at Pembroke and Skenfrith.

It would be remarkable enough on its own. But Tretower is two wonders in one. Just across the castle green lies an entire medieval court that became a byword for magnificence.

It was the creation of Sir Roger Vaughan and his descendants. During the Wars of the Roses Sir Roger became one of the most powerful men in Wales – and Tretower reflected his fame.

It became a magnet for medieval Welsh poets who drank its fine wines and sang the praises of its generous host. Now, thanks to meticulous restoration, you can vividly imagine being one of Tretower’s most honoured guests.

You’ll find the great hall laid out just as it might have been for a lavish feast in the 1460s. In the recreated 15th century garden you can stroll among fragrant white roses that symbolise Sir Roger’s passionate Yorkist sympathies.

Tretower Castle was first built in the 11th century by the Norman family of Picard. It underwent three successive phases of development before the more spacious court house was established close bya as the main residential focus of the site in the 14th century.

The 11th century castle was a small mound and bailey, with timber defences. In the mid 12th century the defences on the mound were replaced in stone: residential quarters were ranged around an encircling protective stone wall with a gatehous – an arrangement know as a Shell Keep.
In the earlier 13th century most of the buildings inside the shell keep were demolished to make room for a high circular tower: this contained the Picards’ private accomodation; it was entered at first-floor level and linked to the earlier curtain by bridge. At the same time the defences of the bailey were replaced in stone, with circular angle towers.*

The Vaughan family abandoned Tretower Court shortly after 1700. So began its slow decline under a series of tenant farmers.

Rooms once graced by lords and ladies suffered the ultimate indignity – they became a home for pigs. Tretower was in a truly sorry state when it was bought for the nation in 1934.

The original conservation effort lasted for four long decades and saved the fabric of the buildings. In 2010 a further major restoration by Cadw brought the interiors vibrantly to life.

Now all the rooms of the west range – from the medieval kitchen, buttery and pantry to Sir Roger Vaughan’s great hall – are equipped as they would been in their 1460s heyday.

Every piece of furniture and all the furnishings, even the pots and pans in the kitchen, are modern replicas. All especially made. All based on authentic 15th-century evidence.

Under the glorious wooden roof of the great hall Sir Roger’s high table is laid with the finest linen and tableware. Look out for the impressive oak dresser and a cupboard painted in green earth or ‘terre verte’. It’s adorned with the strange heraldic device of the Vaughan family – a boy with a snake around his neck.

Most eye-catching of all is the painted cloth behind the high table. It depicts four scenes from the eventful lives of the Vaughans, starting with the battle of Agincourt in 1415 and ending with the siege of Harlech Castle in 1468.

*From a signboard at the castle

We set off on our journey to Hay-on-Wye later than we intended.  Our first destination was Tretower Court and Castle, with a planned lunch stop along the way. Lunch opportunities proved non-existent. Although we weren’t expecting the Bird on the Rock tearooms to be open we made a slight detour just in case they were. We arrived at the property to find it looking both closed and derelict. I was curious so I searched on Google and found that sadly, the property is up for auction.

We stopped for lunch in Cafe Hay, Hay-on-Wye (toasted ham, cheese and chutney sandwich for me) before continuing to Tretower where we were treated to a short talk about the history of the site by a Cadw representative who also showed us the best route to enjoy it.

Afterwards we headed back to Hay-on-Wye for our stay in The Swan at Hay, stopping off at a garden centre for tea and cake and a visit to the Christmas Grotto (it just had to be done). As we travelled, we were treated to spectacular displays of Red Kites soaring in the sky.

Back in Hay-on-Wye we checked into the hotel, unpacked and chilled out before dining in the hotel restaurant. The bar area was busy due to an art sale event taking place. We found a quiet corner to enjoy our pre dinner drink before dining. The restaurant was calm and the food delicious. By the time we had finished our meal the bar area was less crowded allowing us to have a nightcap in relative calm.