Christmas Events at Stradey
December 2019
This has been a busy month for us with Stradey hosting a number of wonderful Christmas events including Christmas wreath workshops, Concerts, filming (with Tinopolis), two Fairytale Adventures and tours.
This image shows the hall at the reception before the LARS black tie soiree concert in the middle of the month.
Christmas workshops
October 2019
After the success of our Christmas workshops last year we are, once again, joining forces with the award winning local florist, Ruth Milton Jones, to lay on 2 morning Christmas Wreath making workshops at Stadey this year. They will take place on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th November 10am - 1pm. Price £45 per person.
Please contact Ruth at ruthfm@me.com or call her on 07739 655287 to book and pay the £25 deposit to secure a place.
Historic Welsh buildings
September 2019
The Production company Unigryw spent 6 days filming at Stradey for a series on Historic Welsh buildings, due to be aired on S4C in January. Patrick, Rob and Kay had their interviews conducted in Welsh, while Claire was allowed to speak in English (thankfully). But the star of the show, as so often happens, was Guto, Stradey’s resident Border Terrier.
We are grateful to other friends of Stradey who were willing to give up their time to be interviewed for this programme – among them: Emyr and Mandy Price, Howell Morgan and Andrew Green.
Reflections on Stradey
July 2019
Patrick has long wanted to record his Reflections on Stradey and his family who have occupied the present house and owned the Stradey Estate since 1808. Finally, ‘Stradey, a retrospective’ has been printed. The booklet is available for sale at £3 per copy. For those wanting to have a copy sent to them, please email us at info@stradeycastle.com to make arrangements (and payment) for a copy to be sent through the post.
The full sized Billiard Table at Stradey Castle has now been fully restored!
June 2019
We were delighted to discover that the firm which made the original cushions for our Billiard table in the 1870’s, Burroughes and Watts, is still in business. First, we sent off the cushions by courier to the Midlands company for recovering. Then a contractor arrived in June to install them, replace the pockets and re-cover the 5 slate base with new baize. Now we have a wonderful, full size billiard table ready to use.
Happily Ever After
April 2019
Stradey Castle has proved to be the ideal venue for Happily Ever After - Swansea to hold their ‘Walk Through Fairytale Adventure’ days for children.
We had Belle in the Library reading Fairytales beside a log fire, Aurora waiting to be woken from sleep in our beautiful Blue Bedroom, rides with Cinderella in her Carriage drawn by 2 beautiful horses and a Woodland Fairy.
The 4 days in April were a huge success, and more are planned for the summer and in December.
Christmas Wreath making Workshop
September 2018
We’re delighted to announce an exciting event at Stradey Castle on Friday 7th December: A Christmas Wreath making Workshop. There will be 2 sittings: 10am - 1pm, and 2 - 5pm, held in the panelled dining room in front of a roaring fire. The price per person is £45, which includes:
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Foraging for Greenery in the Stradey Woodland Gardens
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Expert guidance by popular local florist, Ruth Milton Jones
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Tour of Stradey Castle
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Light refreshments will be served
Booking is essential (plus payment of a deposit). info@stradeycastle.com or please call 0777 347 4048. Places are limited, so don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity.
5K Colour Run
August 2018
Stradey Castle hosted the 5k ‘Colour Run’ organised by Achieving Fitness of Cardiff for the second year running in August. The 200+ runners of all ages who took part, many in family groups, tackled a very mixed terrain along woodland tracks, through rivers and streams, over and under obstacles along the way in the parkland. They were repeatedly bombarded with colour powder paint which turned their white T shirts, their faces and hair all the colours of the rainbow. Everyone seemed to enjoy the event and entered into the fun of it all.
Wedding in July
July 2018
Stradey Castle Events Ltd hosted its first wedding on a gloriously sunny Saturday in July. The couple, Mat and Jade, chose a ‘2 hat’ Tipi for their Reception which worked extremely well given the perfect conditions. They wrote ‘Thank you so much, we are eternally grateful to have had our special day at the most perfect venue’
Tours in June
June 2018
June has proved to be a popular month for private tours with visitors ranging from escorted American tourist groups to local school children learning about the Victorian era.
Former teachers Emyr and Mandy Price, both Welsh speakers, have joined us to prepare material and to promote and lead school groups at Stradey Castle. They are able to offer ‘tailor-made’ tours for school groups based on the KS 2/3 Curriculum, and they have been working hard to contact schools and send them plenty of materials about what a visit to Stradey can offer.
St David’s Day
March 2018
The St David’s Day snow fell on our special collection of Large Leaved Rhododendrons with dramatic effect. Thankfully they seem none the worse for wear now. Just waiting for some sun!
Weddings 2018
February 2018
We have an exciting year in store with three Wedding Receptions booked over the summer, plus plenty more wedding photo shoots throughout the year.
This was our first of 2018; photo by Oliver Jenkins, who has himself been booked by our August Bridal couple.
Christmas Tours 2017
November 2017
We plan two Christmas Tours again this year, on 10th and 17th December at 2.30pm. Our heritage tour is followed by tea and then carols beside the Tree. A few spaces are still available on both days. Please click here to book
October 2017
Stradey Castle was the 'Great Estate' featured in the 'Sunday' supplement of the Sunday Telegraph on 1st October: View article here
Lady Mary
September 2017
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Lady Mary, Patrick's mother, after a long illness. She was a wonderful woman who worked tirelessly as the consort to Sir David Mansel Lewis in his role as Lord Lieutenant of Carmarthenshire and Dyfed for 29 years. She also left a lasting legacy at Stradey Castle, her home for 50 years. She transformed both the House and the Garden in which she planted an impressive collection of rhododendrons and camellias. Portrait by Nicky Philipps
Murder Mystery Evening
August 2017
We hosted our first Murder Mystery evening at Stradey recently, a Victorian themed evening which was a private birthday party. It was a huge success and guests were generous with their feedback: "Brilliant evening and a massive thank you to Claire for allowing us into her beautiful home"
Our Wonderful Bluebells
May 2017
Our wonderful bluebells have given immense pleasure to a good many visitors attending our Tours in April and May. Click here to view the video.
Easter Tour
April 2017
On Easter Sunday we will be offering a special Family friendly tour of Stradey Castle which will be followed by tea and then an Easter Egg hunt in the lovely bluebell woods beside the lake. For further details and booking (which is essential for this tour), please visit our Heritage Tours page
'Decline and Fall'
March 2017
'Decline and Fall' opens on 31st March night on BBC1 featuring David Suchet and Jack Whitehall. Here they are during filming at Stradey Castle last July.
More information: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08l67g5
Wedding Showcase
February 2017
On Sunday 26th February, Stradey Castle hosted a highly exclusive Wedding Showcase featuring two spectacular catwalks down the Stairs. Many of Wales' National Wedding Award winning exhibitors took part, and a good many brides were in attendance. We were particularly pleased to have a beautiful Marquee in place, courtesy of County Marquees Ltd, of Chepstow.
Click here to view the video created by Mark Tancock of John Mark Films
Year of Legends
In 2017 Wales celebrates its epic past, present and future. Wales will be promoted in fresh ways as a place with an ancient and authentic culture, language, heritage and landscapes. But it’s also a country that’s alive with fresh talent and ideas. This year we hope Stradey Castle will play its part in bringing the past to life, and creating new epic experiences. This is our Year of Legends.
www.visitwales.com/latest-news/2016/december/year-of-legends-2017
Nos Galan
December 2016
We were delighted that s4c's flagship New Year's Eve programme 'Heno, Nos Galan' was filmed at Stradey for the 3rd year in succession.
Wedding Showcase
The Stradey Castle Wedding Showcase takes place on Sunday 26th February 2017 at Stradey Castle from 11am – 4pm. The Showcase is an intimate event and tickets are available by invitation only. Tickets are priced at £5 which provides entry, access to the catwalk, a complimentary glass of prosecco and canapés.
Christmas Tours
December 2016
On Sunday 11th and Sunday 18th December at 2.30pm there will be two special Christmas tours of Stradey Castle, with a large Christmas Tree in the Hall covered with decorations collected by three generations of the Mansel Lewis family.
The tour includes tea and Christmas flapjack followed by an opportunity to sing Christmas Carols in the Hall. There are still a few places available
Fencing
November 2016
Our farm tenant, Hywel Morgan, is renewing the fencing around the parkland in front of the house and below the terrace. Another step in the overall renovation of Stradey which we are very pleased about.
The Granary
September 2016
Work is being done to stabilise the walls of the Granary in the farmyard to enable re-roofing in the future.
Decline and Fall
July 2016
One day in July, Stradey Castle became the film location for the BBC's flagship Christmas drama 'Decline and Fall' by Evelyn Waugh. They filmed in our library and an attic bedroom. It was a great honour to have both David Suchet and Jack Whitehall with us for the day.
Stradey Castle Event Location Video
March 2016
We are delighted to share a video entitled Stradey Castle Event Location, this video has been created by Paul Harding of Rocket Pictures and shows how Stradey Castle could be the perfect location for your wedding or other event.
To view the video: please click here.
