One of our last days in Shropshire saw us pop into Wales, to Powis Castle and its gardens. The castle itself was built largely in the mid thirteenth century, and modified, restyled and redecorated many times since until as recently as the 1950s. Photography was not allowed, but as we found it a somewhat gloomy place, we were happy to focus on the gardens.
These are magnificently planted steep terraces, largely in the 17th century Italian style. There are large, rather formidable yew hedges. There is statuary. You’ll find a formal Edwardian garden with century-old apple trees, a walled garden, and beyond, carefully managed woodland inviting visitors to enjoy a gentle stroll while peeping through the trees at the landscape in one direction, the castle and gardens in the other. And peacocks and peahens, with their youngsters in tow. Here’s a small collection of postcards.








Don’t ask me about that giant foot, found in the woods. Haven’t a clue, and nobody would help me out.
My last few Shropshire Postcards: for Six Word Saturday.
Looks gorgeous. I love the giant foot.
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I do too Darlene. I wish I knew the story behind it.
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https://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/1180998
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I’m so glad you went to Shropshire, Margaret. I love postcards. Have a happy weekend!
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I do too Jo, and ‘real’ postcards don’t seem to be a thing any more. They used to be one of the minor joys of summer – a constant stream of postcards from everywhere from Bognor to Bali. Happy weekend to you too.
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Now I’m upset because I don’t have one from Bali, but I’m sure Peasholm Park is a suitable substitute.
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Of course it is. But I don’t have one from Bali . It just went with Bognor. I doubt I have a card from there either.
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I have friends in Bognor so I think maybe I do. Ha -a strange form of one upmanship xx
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🤣 Daughter One lives in Bolton, and Number two in Barcelona. Will that do?
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Definitely!
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It is so beautiful and green there 😍
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It really is! All that rain has to be good for something.
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I agree 👍🏻
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A fragment of information about the foot https://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/1180998
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Thanks so much. I had no idea, though wondered why there was nothing else at all – just the foot. All is revealed!
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ah the green of Wales – glorious.
PS it is The Patagon Foot https://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/1180998
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ooh as I posted my reply Annie’s appeared on my screen. Two great minds thinking alike this morning!
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😉
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Three of us it seems. Should read ALL the comments before posting.
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lol!!! the upside is at least Margaret now knows
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Not necessarily Jude. You’re entitled to a life beyond blogging.
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Oooh, thanks for that. Who knew? Apart from you, obviously.
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The Patagons were a race of giants apparently, hence the size. You’d need a big person for the size of that stately pile!
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You would! Thanks for weighing in to this part of the chat.
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I remember visiting these on a similarly overcast day and thinking those hedges looked like unfinished Buddha statues.
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They’re amazing, aren’t they?
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Those terraced gardens look lovely! The foot is great, and I see others have helped you unearth some info about it 🙂
I also saw the conversation with Jo about the lack of postcards these days. I do still send some, albeit created online from my own photos (but then sent as real cards through the post). It’s a fun custom that some of the Virtual Tourist crowd revived during Covid and have kept going 🙂 I think I have your address somewhere …
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Well, you may have as it’s on all my emails. Which of course you no longer have. Brilliant idea to creaete your own postcards. You can give me one next time we meet! Maybe.
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I have understandably spent many a day at Powis castle, but never been inside. I love the terraces and the woodland walk, but that foot? Never seen it. I do have a similar photo of one in a park in Cascais though. I wonder if it is by the same sculptor? 🤔 Seems to have been a bit of a gloomy day for you. If you fancy a view in the sunshine:
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Oh thanks Jude. That’s MUCH better than my post. But yes, you had better weather. We were shower-dodging, and for vaious reasons didn’t have indefinite exploring time.
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Love the peahen and peachicks! And I see you have been inundated with info about the foot now. It does look weird.
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It does! And I can’t believe I dodged the explanations when I was looking at the NT site. Yes, charming peahen and children.
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Beautiful post and photos! I loved the atmosphere in these images, too.
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Thanks. It’s a great garden.
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That cloud topiary is magnificent, but someone should have toed you not to include the foot!
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Oh Peter … what can I say??
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I’ll take it as read and go to my room immediately!
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Without your supper. Obviously.
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Not fair!
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😆
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I am a fan of the foot! Great photos and beautiful gardens. Thanks for sharing with us.
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And thanks for coming along.
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Wales has the best castles. As for the foot, what comes to mind is “The game’s afoot.” 😁
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Excellent! And yes, Wales, and those parts of England next to Wales has or had scores of castles. Wales kept the best ones!
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Ozymandias
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My thought exactly!
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Yes, even down to its origins being forgotten
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Certainly a lovely area! The foot certainly needs a story!
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And all those comments put me right!
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That looks like a great place to visit Margaret, I do rather like the giant foot, shame no one would tell you about it.
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Oh, there were loads of comments on the blog offering info, so it’s all fine!
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I better read them.
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many years ago, I hated being trundled around those gardens as a little girl!
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Oh, poor you! You’d enjoy them now.
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Magnificent castle, beautiful landscape… thank you for this lovely tour, Margaret! 💖
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Thanks for coming along Amy.
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Beautiful gardens and I do love those peacocks, but blimey I’d hate to have to heat that castle!
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Well, quite. And even at this time of year it was lightly heated to keep the damp out.
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