Hemenway Street: AN AFTERNOON AT MARGAM CASTLE.

Is anyone else going through serious Downton Abbey withdrawals? I can't believe we still have to wait until January. While I obviously love the drama that the show brings [ The Mary & Matthew wedding? Can't wait! ], I also love getting to see the beautiful Highclere Castle. When I was in Wales this summer, we spent a few hours at Margam Park wandering around the grounds and admiring Margam Castle. While it's not the castle of Downton fame, Margam Castle is just as gorgeous and has a similarly storied past.

During World War II, both British and American troops were housed at the castle. My Nana lives nearby, and during the war she would go to dances with the soldiers. She thought the Americans were terribly glamourous.

As I mentioned in this post, Margam Castle features some incredibly beautiful stone detailing. The castle was built in the early 1800s by the architect Thomas Hopper. I could spend hours looking at all of the different patterns and textures. There's something so compelling about weathered stone, don't you think?

I was immediately drawn to the wild yet manicured gardens. They really feel like they're from another time, don't you think? In 1881, the future King and Queen of England stopped by for a visit and planted a tree in the gardens in honor of the event.

Aren't the views just gorgeous? If you look closely in the third photo below, you can see the ruins of a small chapel -- Capel Mair ar y Bryn. Wales has beautiful ruins everywhere. I've been spending time in Wales my whole life, and sights like these never fail to take my breath away.