Mathern Palace, Chepstow, United Kingdom

Mathern Palace is a Grade I listed building in the village of Mathern, located south-west of Chepstow close to the Severn Estuary. Between about 1408 and 1705 it was the main residence of the Bishops of Llandaff. After falling into ruin, it was restored and its gardens laid out between 1894 and 1899 by the architectural writer Henry Avray Tipping. In recent years it has been in private hands and used as a guest house.

The palace is approached through the remains of an early 15th-century gateway, on either side of which is a cottage designed by Tipping. The main building itself has an undemonstrative irregularity, suggesting that the bishops had relatively poor resources, and modified the building incrementally.

The gardens lie to the north-west, south-east and south-west of the house. Tipping laid out terraces on the south-west facing slope, and converted the remains of medieval fishponds into ornamental ponds. To the south-east he laid out formal lawns, a kitchen garden, and a sunken rose garden, with the various elements being linked by limestone and grass walks flanked by walls and hedges. He incorporated ruined walls into the overall design, and built a rock garden on the steeper slope to the north-west of the house. Tipping also planted many trees and bushes, including a large circular arbour of yew on the highest terrace.

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Palaces, manors and town halls in United Kingdom

Kakesbeck Castle

Kakesbeck is one of the largest medieval fortifications in Münsterland and the oldest castle in Lüdinghausen. The imposingly grown complex originated in 1120 as a motte, a small hilltop tower castle. After numerous changes of ownership, the castle was extended onto two islands, but it was not until the 14th century that it underwent significant alterations and extensions under the von Oer family. The estate experienced its heyday in the middle of the 18th century, when it covered an area of almost one square kilometre and consisted of five further outer castles in addition to the core castle, which were secured by ramparts and moats.

The well-maintained condition of the castle today is thanks to the late Wilfried Grewing, the former lord of the castle. The foundation named after him has been particularly committed to preserving the property since 2020.

Sed Edwards (3 years ago)
Beautiful building

Amanda Townsend (3 years ago)

Ian Martin-Thomas (5 years ago)
Fantastic wedding venue, just like going back in history. Rooms very spacious, clean. Staff very accommodating. To the rear are some fantastic gardens. It's huge. There is a large Marquee where the wedding guests are greeted. The food is fabulous, there are portable toilets, which are state-of-the-art. The venue is layed out neatly, the Disco was in the corner, so not too loud. Nice for a treat if your looking for a tranquil weekend away. Good prices.

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Kakesbeck Castle