Great Castle House in Monmouth was built in 1673 for Henry Somerset, 3rd Marquis of Worcester and Lord President of the Council of Wales and the Marches. It is a grand "town house", a secondary dwelling to his country estate, a residence suitable for him to occupy when busy with his official duties. The building is located near the ruins of Monmouth Castle and is constructed of pink and grey blocks of local Old Red Sandstone. The main elevation is symmetrical: the almost symmetrical wings are nineteenth century additions. The house became superfluous to its owner's needs relatively soon in its life, and it subsequently became an assizes, a judge's lodgings, a school for young ladies, headquarters of the Militia Regiment and the museum of the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers, a function it still maintains.
photo © T. Boughen Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10
