Welsh Castle Quiz

Question #20

"My exact origins are unknown, although I was probably built by a local Welsh lord in the 1240s. The remains you see in this 19th-century depiction are after I had a face-lift in the 1270s/80s. I'm a little red-faced over my sorry appearance in this drawing, although most would say that today I'm a real "bute". Who am I and can you explain my riddle?"

Although many would recognize a modern picture of this well-known Welsh folly-castle overlooking the Taff in southern Wales, Castell Coch probably began its life as a simpler 13th-century native Welsh castle. Gilbert de Clare (also known as Gilbert "the Red") is likely the later builder responsible for the finer additions to the castle (the fact-lift).

Castell Coch, which means "Red Castle" remained a romantic ruin until is was restored as a folly in the 1870s by the 3rd Marquess of Bute (a real "bute").

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