Llandough Castle

Llandough Castle stands in the Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales. Built in the 14th century as a fortified manor house, it has been a private home for most of its life. The castle was once part of the Herbert estate in the 15th century before Dr Edward Carne bought it in 1536. It later passed to the Talbot family in 1677 through marriage and was leased to private owners in the 18th century. In the 19th century, tenants John Price and Francis Edmonde Stacey made major structural changes. The castle was sold in 1929 and briefly used as an educational centre for young miners in the 1930s. The castle itself is well preserved though only one wall remains from the original 14th-century structure. Today it forms a roughly square building of 24 metres in length, enclosed by tall boundary walls. The West Tower was incorporated into the main structure and an East Wing was added during the 19th century. Minor interior changes followed the Second World War, including adjustments to the central part and repurposing of servants’ quarters. The castle is now a private residence and holds Grade II* listed status. Surrounding the castle are nearly four acres of gardens, largely developed by head gardener William Harkness between 1869 and 1900. After years of neglect and sale after the war, the gardens were restored by Simon and Rhian Rees over nine years. They reopened to the public in 2018 as part of the National Garden Scheme. The gardens feature cultivated grounds and preserved planting schemes that reflect their Victorian origins. Visitors find a quiet, enclosed landscape softened by mature trees and pathways winding through restored borders. The setting offers a peaceful contrast to the castle’s fortified past.