Powis Castle

The early history of Powis Castle is not fully documented, but it is known that the castle changed hands multiple times in the 13th century during conflicts between the Welsh and the English. Originally owned by a Welsh princely dynasty, its last representative, Owain ap Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn, swore allegiance to English King Edward I in 1286 and subsequently called himself Baron de la Pole. This loyalty allowed for continuous occupation of the castle. In 1587, Sir Eduard Herbert acquired the estate, under whose aegis the transformation from a fortress into a stately residential castle with a long Elizabethan gallery began. During the English Civil War, the castle fell to Puritan troops in 1644 but was not destroyed on Cromwell's orders because Herbert had supported the parliamentary side. After the Restoration of the Stuarts in 1667, the Herbert family regained their property. William Herbert, the 3rd Baron Powis, then began expanding the state rooms and creating a French-style park on the south slope. In 1784, the daughter of the last Baron Powis married Edward Clive, who later adopted the name Herbert and was elevated to Earl of Powis in 1804.

The castle is situated on a steep rocky outcrop in Welshpool, in the county of Powys, Wales, United Kingdom, at an elevation of approximately 145 meters above sea level.

Today, Powis Castle houses a museum displaying artifacts from Robert Clive's Indian campaigns, including Indian swords, jewels, and paintings. The castle is accessible to visitors and offers insights into its rich history and architecture, including the opulent state rooms and the famous Baroque gardens.

• Shrewsbury Castle (Castle), approx. 28.6 km away
• Chirk Castle (Castle), approx. 32.1 km away
• Roman City Viroconium (Ancient Buildings), approx. 35.0 km away
• Valle Crucis Abbey (Sacred Building), approx. 37.7 km away