Mathern Palace, Chepstow, United Kingdom

Mathern Palace is a Grade I listed building in the village of Mathern, located south-west of Chepstow close to the Severn Estuary. Between about 1408 and 1705 it was the main residence of the Bishops of Llandaff. After falling into ruin, it was restored and its gardens laid out between 1894 and 1899 by the architectural writer Henry Avray Tipping. In recent years it has been in private hands and used as a guest house.

The palace is approached through the remains of an early 15th-century gateway, on either side of which is a cottage designed by Tipping. The main building itself has an undemonstrative irregularity, suggesting that the bishops had relatively poor resources, and modified the building incrementally.

The gardens lie to the north-west, south-east and south-west of the house. Tipping laid out terraces on the south-west facing slope, and converted the remains of medieval fishponds into ornamental ponds. To the south-east he laid out formal lawns, a kitchen garden, and a sunken rose garden, with the various elements being linked by limestone and grass walks flanked by walls and hedges. He incorporated ruined walls into the overall design, and built a rock garden on the steeper slope to the north-west of the house. Tipping also planted many trees and bushes, including a large circular arbour of yew on the highest terrace.

References:

Wikipedia

Palaces, manors and town halls in United Kingdom

Walls of Constantinople

The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.

Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.

Sed Edwards (4 years ago)
Beautiful building

Amanda Townsend (4 years ago)

Ian Martin-Thomas (6 years ago)
Fantastic wedding venue, just like going back in history. Rooms very spacious, clean. Staff very accommodating. To the rear are some fantastic gardens. It's huge. There is a large Marquee where the wedding guests are greeted. The food is fabulous, there are portable toilets, which are state-of-the-art. The venue is layed out neatly, the Disco was in the corner, so not too loud. Nice for a treat if your looking for a tranquil weekend away. Good prices.

Mathern Palace

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Walls of Constantinople