Castell Coch, Wales 29 Sep 2023

Castell Coch, Welsh for "Red Castle," is perched on a wooded hill in Wales. Designed by the renowned architect William Burges, the castle is a symphony of opulence, featuring lavish interiors adorned with intricate carvings, vibrant stained glass and sumptuous furnishings. Its external features and high Victorian interiors stand as a witness of the brilliance of its designer. Melding together remnants of the mediaeval fortress with 19th-century innovations, its design achieves a synthesis that is hailed as the glory of the Gothic Revival in Britain. The surrounding beech forest contributes to the fairytale-like background, and they contain geological features of limestone and sandstone, and rare plant species such as the butterfly orchid, bird"s-nest orchid and dog"s mercury. These woods are recognised and protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.