Castell Coch - Lord Bute's Bedroom

Added On:16-06-2009

This room is surprisingly austere for a millionaire marquess but perhaps matches the reclusive side of his personality. It was a late change in the design of the rebuild that moved his chamber here but one that allowed access to the fighting gallery over the gate arch as well as to another courtyard balcony with a supply winch, both features giving the occupant a sense of real control over the castle.

There is fine décor around the cornice with its small carved animals bringing a lighter touch in contrast with the restrained wall stencils but the most interesting piece of furniture is the mock-medieval copper-plated bed, held together by complex knotted ropes.

 

Castell Coch - Lady Margaret's Bedroom

Added On:16-06-2009

The eldest of Lord Bute's children, Lady Margaret had her room above the kitchen in the Kitchen Tower. It was once open to the roof but was later modified to house a nanny in the attic. The original furniture is again based on medieval designs and painted in cream, including the unusual bed.

 

Castell Coch - Inner Courtyard

Added On:16-06-2009

More akin to a set from a Wagner opera than a medieval inner ward, the courtyard is highly decorated with 19th century galleries and wall-walks - Burges's original plans being even more lavish. However, the locations of the three towers and much of the curtain wall are actually medieval, so the basic layout was preserved by the Victorians.

Off the courtyard are large stone-vaulted rooms, one now in use as the shop, and these too either survived from medieval times or were rebuilt as closely to their original form as possible. To the left of the main entrance is the Keep Tower with its octagonal ground floor room (now a tearoom) a good example of Burges's reconstruction techniques including use of wooden-clad metal beams as roof supports. The tower rooms feature staircase access to the courtyard gallery to allow servants entry to rooms such as the Banqueting Hall without using the main doorways.

 

Roath Dock

Added On:14-06-2009

Roath Dock, Cardiff Bay.

 

The Vue Cinema

Added On:14-06-2009

Vue Cardiff is the former Ster Century Cardiff cinema.