The entrance to Powis Castle, which one welcomed Queen Victoria and King George V, is set to be restored after a public appeal raised a momentous £500k. Powis Castle is located in Welshpool, Mid Wales, and Supporters of Powis Castle were asked to help restore the castle’s crumbling East Front which in its time has welcomed major figures in both British and World history.
Powis Castle
When the building was donated to the National Trust back in 1952, the East Front was closed off to the public though in recent years the steps have been crumbling and one of the walls on the terrace is in danger of collapse.
Ruth Scutter, visitor services manager at Powis Castle, commented on the successful appeal, “The repairs are estimated to cost £500,000 but we received all the funding we need from the appeal, from the public and then we also put in a few bids for grant funding from conservation trusts. I really want to thank everybody who donated. Its been a really good appeal, the best in recent years.”
The appeal was only expected to raise £300,000 from public donations and the rest from grants, though this target was exceeded and restoration work is expected to begin in December.
Kenneth Smith, from National Trust in Wales, commented, ” The entrance would have seen King George V and Queen Mary and Queen Victoria, as Princess Victoria, walk up its grand staircase to stand on the high terrace and enjoy the magnificent view over the Breidden Hills. Once restored, the Grand East entrance will be open to the public for the first time in more than half a century, and it is anticipated that the work will safeguard the future of that section of the castle.”
The castle is more than 900 years old and was built by Welsh ruler, Gruffuth ap Gwenwynwyn, to defend his territories from aggressors in the north.
Ruth Scutter concluded, “We’ve had the planning permission granted and the listing building consent, and we’re looking to start the work in mid-December. Hopefully it will all be done by the time we open for the new season next year.”
Photo Credit: Sarah Barker
