In 1912, she also commissioned Bodly to produce the spectacular wrought iron gates in the fountain garden as a present for George’s birthday.
Violet’s Edwardian garden with a croquet lawn, flowering borders and meticulously trimmed fruit trees, is still one of our garden’s highlights today.
Tragedy strikes
In the Edwardian period the estate was at its height, and important guests arrived every weekend throughout the winter season including, in November 1909, the Prince and Princess of Wales.
However, this golden era was not to last and sadly, George suffered three family tragedies.
In 1916 his elder son, Percy, was fatally wounded on the Somme; in 1929 Violet died after a car accident and in 1942, his younger son, Mervyn was killed in an aeroplane crash during active service.
With no direct heir to the castle, on his death bed in 1952 George bequeathed Powis to the nation, in the care of the National Trust.
Join us to find out more about George, Violet and the Edwardian era throughout the year at Powis.