St. Donats Castle.

This is a medieval castle in the village of St.Donats in the Vale of Glamorgan and is situated overlooking the Bristol Channel. Originally built in the 12th century and in 1298 it became the property of Sir Peter Strading and his wife, Lady Joan.  In more recent years, the castle was purchased by the American newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst in1925. Hearst spent a lot of money renovating the castle and he also installed electricity into both it, and the local village. He was well loved and respected by the local villagers, particularly as he paid his employees very well indeed.  Hearst held many society parties there and some of his many guests were Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks Jnr, and a young John F Kennedy.  Another visitor was George Bernard Shaw who was quoted as saying "this is what God would have built if he had had the money" . The castle is reputedly haunted by Lady Strading who was apparently murdered there.  These days, the castle is an international  sixth form college which seems to specialise in the arts.