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The Orangery Terrace and Powis Castle above, Wales
The Orangery Terrace and Powis Castle above, Wales | © National Trust Images/Joe Wainwright
Wales

Powis Castle historical walk

Explore Powis on this easy historical trail. Stroll along Italianate terraces, around the formal garden and through the Wilderness woodland. There are plenty of rest stops along the way, and you can reward yourself with a hot drink and slice of cake in the Courtyard Restaurant at the end.

Entrance ticket required

To enter the garden, you'll need to collect an entrance ticket from the Ticket Office at Powis.

Total steps: 6

Total steps: 6

Start point

Powis Castle Garden Kiosk, grid ref: SJ2152106369

Step 1

Collect your entrance ticket from the ticket office and enter the garden. Follow the path, taking a left turn at the end. Continue on this path along the Top Terrace which affords a great aerial view across the garden, Severn Valley and Breidden Hill.

Step 2

At the end of the terrace, take the set of steps on your right down to the Aviary Terrace. Be sure to admire the 18th Century statues of dancing shepherds adorning the balustrade on your right before taking the next flight of steps down to the Orangery terrace. At the bottom, follow the path on your left which leads through the giant yew hedge.

The 'cold' herbaceous border on the Orangery Terrace at Powis Castle, Wales
The 'cold' herbaceous border on the Orangery Terrace at Powis Castle, Wales | © National Trust Images/Mark Bolton

Step 3

Continue along the path that slopes between two yew hedges. At the bottom, turn left into the formal garden. Follow the path straight ahead, then turn right at the end of the path. This will take you past our holiday home The Bothy, a black and white timber framed building that was once the home of Powis’ Edwardian gardeners. Continue along the path admiring the 100-year-old apple trees as you pass them by. Turn right and then right again to complete your loop of the formal garden.

Step 4

As you leave the formal garden, turn left to follow the straight path between two tall box hedges. At the end turn right then immediately left. On your right you’ll see some shallow steps which will take you up into The Wilderness, Powis’ formal woodland. Continue along this path, stopping at the clearing on your right to admire the beautiful view of the castle, terraces and Great Lawn.

Step 5

Continue along the path, taking a right at the fork. Follow this path through the Wilderness woodland, taking in the views of the castle as you go.

Step 6

As you reach the Stable Pond, continue ahead keeping the pond on your left. When you reach the cross roads, take the steepest path which will lead you back to the garden entrance. After your walk, you are welcome to reward yourself with some hot food and drink from the Courtyard Restaurant.

End point

Powis Castle Garden Kiosk, grid ref: SJ2152106369

Trail map

Map showing route and steps of the winter walk at Powis Castle
Winter walk at Powis Castle | © National Trust/Robert Polley

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