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.
Near to
Powis Castle and GardenStart point
Powis Castle Garden Kiosk, grid ref: SJ2152106369Trail information
*Some steep steps and gradients. For further details, please see section marked Terrain.
**There are several sets of steps and steep paths. There is a step-free route available. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs must be kept on short leads. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.
Entrance ticket required
To enter the garden, you'll need to collect an entrance ticket from the Ticket Office at Powis.
Total stages: 6
Total stages: 6
Start point
Powis Castle Garden Kiosk, grid ref: SJ2152106369
Stage 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.
Stage 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 | © National Trust Images/Mark Bolton Stage 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.
Stage 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.
Stage 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.
Stage 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
Winter walk at Powis Castle | © National Trust/Robert Polley
More near here
Powis Castle and Garden
Discover a Grade I listed garden and medieval castle with a vast collection of South Asian artefacts at Powis Castle and Garden in Mid Wales.
Powis Castle autumn walk
As the cooler air arrives, the garden, woodland and terraces at Powis come alive with autumn colours. Enjoy the crunch of autumn leaves and the scent of apple trees on this easy walking trail.
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