Penrhyn Castle

Penrhyn Castle is a lovely manor house just outside Bangor, Wales. It started out as quite a small structure, but during the first half of the 19th century it grew to be a huge, Victorian version of what a Norman castle looked like. Today, one might even say it's a sprawling complex of buildings. As with so many of these castles and houses, it was the punishing death tax that forced the last heir to donate the building to the National Trust - for Wales this time. I suggest you read the wiki article for more info, it was quite a nice place.

All pics here.

Most of the front of the castle.


Great views.


The Great Hall.


There was a guy who played the piano in the Hall. I asked one of the volunteers about it, and he said the player was one of the cleaners. Only in Britain.


From one of the grand rooms further in. You may wonder at the lack of reflection in the mirror. Don't worry, I'm not a vampire, just cleverly concealed behind the clock.


The grand staircase. It took ten years to build.


Detail from the ceiling over the staircase. Half a dozen Italian sculptors were brought in for the last couple of years to work on this.


The fake food in the kitchen looked good enough to eat.


Cake! Tons of caaaaake! Or plastic. Sigh.


Dinner table, anno mid 1890s, when the then Prince of Wales, later Edward VII came to visit.


Nice to have money.


Crapper. I apologize for the blurriness, but flash photo was verboten.


Another crapper.


Some nice colors again. I expect too see lots more in my last two weeks.


Note the bright pink-red color of the vine on the tower.


They also have a train museum on the grounds. Choooo chooooooo! Wheeeeee!


Naturally, I stuffed face while there.