On Saturday Dad took Me and Mum to Castle
Coch –
The Fairy Castle to have a little walk.
As though in some alpine setting, the sharp pointed turrets of
Castell Coch (Welsh for the 'Red Castle') peep above the beech woodland on a steep hillside overlooking a gorge in the lower
Taff valley. Brimming with imagery, it is a truly astonishing construction, a combination of nineteenth-century Gothic fantasy and timeless fairy-tale, one of the most Romantic if equally unexpected buildings in Britain.
The castle as we see it today was only built in 1870 AD, designed by the architect William Burgess for John Crichton Stuart second Marquess of
Bute. The Marquess was one of the richest men in the world mainly through the mineral resources of his
Glamorgan Estates and so the enormous cost of the project was not a problem. This left Burgess free to create the beautiful palace which stands today as a reminder of the opulence and wealth of yesteryear. The William Burgess design even incorporated a fully operational drawbridge!
Although Burgess died in 1881 AD, fortunately he had left clear instructions for the continuation of the restoration of the castle and these were completed 10 years after his death.
Not very much is known of the history of the earlier original constructions on the site. The first probably started out as an earth and timber
motte castle constructed possibly early in the 12
th century. The next construction was probably built by Gilbert
de Clare (who erected a series of large fortresses including
Castell Coch and Caerphilly Castle nearby) and this is believed to have been triangular in shape with gently curving curtain walls connecting three towers. Sometime in the 15
th century however
Castell Coch was extensively damaged in a fire and the castle was left to go to ruin until the aforementioned complete renovation by the Marquis of
Bute.
One of the ghosts of
Castell Coch is said to haunt the grounds is the ghost of a Cavalier which several people have claimed to have seen.
Legend has it that the Cavalier possibly hid treasure somewhere in the castle during the civil war and that his ghost returns to
Castell Coch to make sure it remains safely hidden!
I wonder if it was a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel like my birth Mum…
Cuddling with Mum on the Castle Walls.
Playing in the woods around the castle.
There are so many new sights and smells here!
Owww I'm scared, its getting really dark.
Running around playing.
Running around on the nice crisp leaves.
Running down a fallen tree!
I run down the mountain side and
couldn't stop, I just kept on going because all the leaves were under me!
Grrrrrr!
Sniff, Sniff!
Demon Dog!
Mushroom!
Big Mushroom growing on the tree!
Dad pretends to eat said mushroom!
Walking back to the car.
Hugs for Pugs!
In the car on to the next adventure!
It started out as a Sunday Stroll down the track as usual, we walked all the way down to Tredomen and we saw a marsh full of butterflies, we will have to go for a walk through there one day because I love to chase them!
The Tredomen Business Building.
Cycle Track Sign - it tells you how far you have walked.
After walking back down the cycle track we went up a dirt path to stat our adventure.
The Devastation after the Forest Fire.
All the trees had been scorched by the fire, its so sad to see, trees are living things just like you and me!
We walked through a wonderful woodland walk through a fairy garden with beautiful flowers and tall trees with twisting vines.
There was a nice little place to sit and relax.
Lots of old bricks made in to benches and planters that made the place look so beautiful.
The Pretty Pink Plants.
Follow Me! I wander off in to the woodland to explore!
We walked over a wooden path built in to the forest, I looked around to try and spot any animals, to have a stiff around and see what I can see!
The Forest Path.
I made my way through the woods and over into a field.
The Sign Post for Nature Walks.
I went over an old style and then ....
I met a donkey!
He was so nice and was munching on nettles.
There was fur on the trees where the donkeys and sheep had scratched.
I was a bit scared of the donkeys ...
Especially when they started to follow me!
Aaaaaaahhh!
The donkeys are EVERYWHERE!
Mum Help Me The Donkey is Sniffing me!
Ruuuuuuun! Not to worry Sammie saved us!
I managed to sneak past a brown donkey eating a tree and made it to the style.
Safe and Sound on the other side, where I met Meg!
Meg was relaxing on the bridge as usual watching the world go by!
Meg looks after the Donkeys in the Farm.
