We are lucky in our cycle club to have a local historian, so on Sunday he led a ride and gave us a talk about places we stopped at.
One was Dunraven Castle which originally looked like the picture below.
Web picture.
However because it had fallen into disrepair and the cost of either rebuilding or maintaining it was too great, it was demolished!!!! and only the outline of it remains.
Hopefully this would not have been allowed to happen today as surely some use could have been made of it especially with its unique position and stunning views.
This was the gatehouse on the drive leading to the castle.
Another stop was St Donats castle. This medieval castle which overlooks the Bristol Channel is now a school, Atlantic College and an arts centre.
It was once owned by William Hurst the newspaper owner and publisher, who renovated it with artifacts taken from other old properties.However when times got hard he sold it in the 1960's. Whilst he owned it it was famous for parties attended by the jet set of the day, Charlie Chaplin, other film stars and reportedly a young JF Kennedy. Some arrived by yacht and moored in the channel.
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The final stop was in Llantwit Major and St Llanilltuds church. There has been a church here for 16 centuries.
The present church has been renovated from the picture below and all the old artifacts have been included.
Web picture
The old Celtic crosses have been preserved and housed within the church.
Even though is was a rainy day the ride and the company were good. Unfortunately I didn't record all of the route but the relevant part is on the Strava side panel.
Wonderful pictures. What a shame about the Dunraven Castle. I agree that in today's world someone would have saved it and put it to some use.
ReplyDeleteYes its a great shame Kathy, and you ask yourself why, and would have thought that the authorities would have prevented it.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Kathy, what an incredible shame it is that Dunraven Castle was demolished. Would've made a cracking 'posh' hotel, but as you mention, the running costs of a building like that must be pretty scary.
ReplyDeleteLove the Celtic crosses inside the church, definitely some age to 'em!
Yes a great shame Mick. I have been to LLantwit Major hundreds of times but Rogers showed us places that we would never have discovered. Quite a few of us said that we'd go back and have a good walk around to have another look. Sometimes unknowingly we just take places at the face value and never look deeper. There's a good lesson there.
DeleteSuch a loss to demolish that fantastic bit of history...I felt that way when they tore down our old high and jr high school buildings. A great idea to learn some history while you ride.
ReplyDeleteI think we all felt the same way about the demolition Sondra. Hopefully it wouldn't happen today as there is much more awareness of old buildings and society that want to preserve the past.
DeleteGood tour.
ReplyDeleteOld house/castles do take a lot to maintain and if no money they get pulled down.
Rather a shame. Great view.
I would like to be a fly on your bicycle handlebar....what I would see.
ReplyDeleteWow! All in one day? What wonderful places. And what a shame about Dunhaven.
ReplyDelete