Welshpool - Powis Castle

Powis Castle, 1mi/2km to the south of Welshpool, has for over 500 years been the seat of the Earls of Powis. Built of red sandstone, it has largely preserved the appearance of a 13th-14th century castle in spite of restoration work in the 16th century. The Long Gallery has fine plaster decoration and pieces of early Georgian furniture, while in the Oak Drawing Room there is a portrait of the first Earl of Powis by Gainsborough. The terraced gardens were laid out in the early 18th century with balustrades and arcades and lead into the park, which was designed by "Capability" Brown and boasts some magnificent oak-trees.

The garden features a centuries' old 30-foot high yew hedge. The gardens also include old roses, orangery and herbaceous plants.