Having enjoyed a few days in the Brecon Beacons celebrating Sarah’s birthday it was time to head home. We had visited Tredegar House and walked from Porth Yr Ogof,  there was however still enough time to pop in and visit Croft Castle on the journey back.

Croft Castle and Parkland is near to Leominster. It is described as an ‘ancient and secluded estate set amidst the rolling hills in the Welsh Marches’ and there are a number of walks for visitors to enjoy.

Today, however, we only had time to visit the house, the home of thirty generations of Crofts.

Actually, we started by visiting St Michael & All Angels Church which stands next to Croft Castle.

It is a mediaeval church dating back to around 1300.

We then moved on to the Croft family home.

There are mentions of the Croft family in the Domesday book.

  

  

And Sir Richard Croft also fought in the War of the Roses alongside Edward Mortimer. Sir James Croft also spent some time in the Tower of London for refusing to betray Elizabeth I during the ‘Wyatt Rebellion’.

However, perhaps most telling in the thousand year history of the estate is the story of the Croft family losing ownership of the home and then eventually buying it back 177 years later.

  

Of course, due to over-indulgence the castle would eventually fall on hard times again, and though still resident in sections of the house, handed over trusteeship to the National Trust.

Next, we left the house and went for a walk around the walled-garden.

This was a splendid tranquil place. And the grape vines were developing well.

  

In truth, Sarah hadn’t been feeling too good all morning so she took the opportunity to laze around for a few moments.

Sadly, it was necessary to bring the visit to a close.

All too soon we needed to head back to Stockport. Croft Castle had proved a brief but thoroughly enjoyable visit. Hopefully next time we will be able to spend more time, and perhaps go on one of the walks.