Castell Coch, South Wales

Castell Coch is a fantasy, a castle built as a recreation of itself.  There was a medieval castle on this site but very little was left of it when the 3rd Marquis of Bute who also owned Cardiff Castle decided that one castle was not enough so he embarked on building a country residence.

Castle Coch literally sits on the remains of a medieval castle and uses its foundations to support itself. Rather than rebuild the original castle the Marquis created a fantasy. With the fashion in Gothic Revival in full swing by the 1870’s work began on the rebuilding of the castle.

Gilbert de Clare built a stone castle here in the late 13th century to control his Welsh lands.  Upon his death his son Gilbert inherited the castle.  When he died at Bannockburn in 1314 there was a revolt by the Welsh in the area and the castle was damaged at this time.  It does not appeared to have been occupied again and was a ruin by the early 16th century.

Its fairytale looks are much more reminiscent of continental castles than anything found in Wales.

The Marquis was the ideal client for Architect William Burges who was given free rein to design a lavish retreat with no expense spared. We can still see the kaleidoscope like ceilings and lavish furnishings he designed.  The castle was never intended to be lived in it has never been a residence.

The octagonal drawing room is located in the first and second floors of the keep. The upper half of the room contains the minstrels gallery. The fireplace features the trio of Greek Goddesses who are shown spining, measuring and cutting the thread of life. There is just as much meaning and symbolism in this 19th century copy as there ever was in any medieval building.