Latest news with #Burges
South Wales Argus
09-08-2025
- South Wales Argus
The 'real-life Disney castle' in South Wales
Castell Coch, or "Red Castle", is well-known for its highly decorated interiors and rich furnishings. It is a popular attraction, regularly voted by the public as their "favourite building in Wales", according to Cadw. Describing the South Wales castle, the Welsh Government service added: "Given free rein by the third Marquess of Bute, architect William Burges didn't hold back. "The highly decorated interiors and rich furnishings of Castell Coch make it a dazzling masterpiece of the High Victorian era. "But it's no exotic folly. Underneath the mock-medieval trappings you can still trace the impressive remains of a 13th-century castle, once used as a hunting lodge by the ruthless Marcher lord Gilbert de Clare." The history behind Castell Coch Castell Coch, which is located above the village of Tongwynlais and can be seen from the M4, dates back to the 11th century. You can see Castell Coch from the M4. (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) A Norman castle was originally built on the site to protect Cardiff and the route along the River Taff. The ruins of this castle were then acquired by John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, in 1760, as part of a marriage settlement, BBC Countryfile explains. "He commissioned the architect William Burges to rebuild the castle as a country residence – after having commissioned Burges to also design the reconstruction of Cardiff Castle," the BBC experts added. Burges then set about creating a "magnificent medieval fantasy" built around the two towers and a lofty hall from Gilbert de Clare's 13th-century fortress. Cadw explains: "He rebuilt the gatehouse, raised the height of the towers and equipped them with conical roofs topped with copper-gilt weathervanes. "He installed a wall-walk and a timber fighting gallery. "But this authentic recreation still came with all mod cons, including central heating. There was even a metal bell-pull for visitors to tug." However, the Earl of Bute fell out of love with the project before its completion, and with Burges dying suddenly in 1881, some rooms were never finished. The castle eventually fell into disuse until it was requisitioned for British and American troops during World War II. In 1950, the 5th Marquess of Bute placed the castle in the care of the Ministry of Works, and gave Cardiff Castle to the city, according to BBC Countryfile. The castle is now cared for by Cadw. Which TV shows and movies have been filmed at Castell Coch? Castell Coch recently featured on a list of "the 10 utterly breathtaking, real-life Disney castles from around the world", released by BBC Countryfile. And while it hasn't featured in any Disney movies or TV shows, it has played host to various film crews. The BBC used Castell Coch for the filming of Wolf Hall, starring Damian Lewis, while The Worst Witch was also filmed there. RECOMMENDED READING: The South Wales castle has also featured in several episodes of Doctor Who, according to IMDb, including: Journey's End The Vampires of Venice Nightmare in Silver You can visit Castell Coch all year round, with ticket prices starting at £7.50 (free for Cadw members). For more information, visit the Cadw website (a link to which can be found above).
Irish Examiner
13-05-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Wooden models believed to have secured win to build Cork's St Fin Barre's Cathedral go on display
Intricate wooden models which it's believed helped win the design competition for Cork's landmark St Fin Barre's Cathedral 163 years ago have been restored for public display for the first time. The models were brought to Cork by renowned English architect William Burges to help him compete in the prestigious 1862 international architectural competition to design and build a new cathedral to replace the existing cathedral which many felt was plain and featureless. Burges, who was 35 at the time, and known for his unique and sometimes unconventional style, was the unanimous choice out of over 60 entrants from Ireland, Britain, and the continent, with his design inscribed Non Mortuus Sed Virescrit — he is not dead but flourishing — a compact yet impressive French Gothic-style cathedral, narrow inside but soaring to a great height, with three spires. It's believed the wooden models, which showcased in physical form his ambitious vision for the new cathedral, help wow the selection committee. Burges went on to pour his heart and soul into the cathedral project, with meticulous attention to detail extended to every corner of the building, from the sculpture and mosaics to the furniture and metalwork. The foundation stone was laid in 1865 by Bishop John Gregg, and the cathedral was consecrated on St Andrew's Day, 1870. And while the winner's design was specified not to exceed £15,000, the final cost exceeded £100,000. A complete model of the exterior, which is now on display inside its custom shipping case. Burges acknowledged the cost overruns but told diocesan authorities that within 50 years, no-one would remember the price tag, and would instead be wowed by its beauty. He also gifted to the city the famous 'Resurrection Angel', made of copper and covered with gold leaf. With its soaring Cork limestone towers and spires, the cathedral is today one of the city's architectural wonders. Burges's wooden models have been in storage since — with some pieces in a cathedral strongroom and other pieces in the attic of a diocese property nearby. Three models Diocesan authorities believed they had two separate models until they sent the pieces to Conservation Letterfrack for restoration, thanks to a grant from the Community Heritage Grants Scheme, administered by The Heritage Council, where experts discovered there are actually three separate models. One is a complete model of the cathedral exterior, which is now on display inside its custom shipping case, the second focuses on specific architectural features of the western facade and north west tower, with the third a model of the cathedral's ambulatory area. The restored models were unveiled for public display on Tuesday by Lord Mayor Cllr Dan Boyle, with the help of pupils from St Fin Barre's National School and St Maries of the Isle National School. 'Quality craftsmanship' The Dean of Cork, the Very Rev Nigel Dunne, said The Burges Wooden Model Exhibition is a wonderful addition to the many historic cultural artefacts that are on display at the cathedral. 'As custodians of a large and internationally significant architectural archive, much of which remains in storage, I am delighted that we can now at last reveal these models to the public on permanent display in the Ambulatory of the cathedral,' he said. 'They have been described as being of the highest quality craftsmanship of the time and reveal more of the story of William Burges' deep commitment to bringing the highest quality design and materials to the construction of our beautiful place of worship.' St Fin Barre's Cathedral in Cork. The Lord Mayor also cut a ribbon to officially open a newly installed bike rack on the cathedral site to mark Bike Week Cork 2025. And he was told that the cathedral's breeding pair of Peregrine falcons, Solomon and Makeda, who have nested in the east tower, are due to hatch two eggs within the next two weeks. Read More A Cork hotel is on the hunt for four tradesmen after note from 1969 found in lobby walls
