The Sun was above Raglan

Well sadly on Saturday, 12th May, we had to pack up and leave the Apartment at Saundersfoot, with Margaret and Kevin heading home, and we further up into Wales.  The sun was shining, the traffic was out, and after a stop in Abergavenny (on Market Day) for a coffee and farewell to Margaret and Kevin we headed on towards Raglan Castle, and what a day to visit - superb.

Raglan Castle is near the village of Raglan in Monmouthshire.  This "modern" castle dates from early 15th century (1420) to early 17th century, when the successive ruling families of the Herberts and the Somersets created a luxurious fortified castle. 

Today it has a volunteer group who re-enact certain happenings of those times

             

and today they were there - for us!

Now to enter this grand castle

There is a 3 storey gatehouse - dating from 1460's and is approached by a stone bridge.

It was originally surrounded by water

It has a grand stone pitched Court

with views out to the  fields of rape - which were originally the Castle's elaborate gardens 

This castle was considered by contemporaries to be the equal of any other in England or Wales.

During the English Civil War, the castle was held on behalf of Charles 1 - and was taken by the Parliamentary forces in 1646

In the after, the Castle was slighted, or deliberately put beyond military use;

After the restoration  of Charles 11, the Somersets declined to restore the Castle.

We walked through the ruins of the parlour and dining room, where I couldn't help but "bring the outside" in.

The surrounding fields were in such full colour

Just stunning really!

There was originally a Grande staircase - we declined to attempt it's ruins.

There was of course "the Chapel"

A fountain Tower

After the Somersets declined to restore this Castle, it first became a source of local building materials

for the Somersets and others.

Then a romantic ruin!

and now a "modern"

Tourist attraction - for the likes of us!

 it did have an hexagonal "Keep" - known as the Groeth Tower or the Yellow Tower of Gwent.

which the Flag of Wales - with it's Red Dragon

 (also the Flag of St. David)

- was flying high above today.

******

Time to hit the road again, after a delightful couple of hours.