Discovering St Donat’s
DISCOVERING ST DONAT’S
St Donat’s Castle is an intriguing place and there are plenty of opportunities to tour and visit. The site has a proud history from its use as an Iron Age fortress, home of the Celtic Chieftain Caradog, to its purchase and development by the American newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst.
As home to the world-renowned Atlantic College, alumni include our First Minister, Eluned Morgan and a host of other notables, even recently including none other than Princess Leonor, the crown princess of Spain.
Bernard Shaw described the castle after Hearst’s reconstruction as ‘what God would have built if he had had the money’. Hearst rarely visited St Donats. When he did, he often took his large entourage for drinks to the Old Swan Inn, Llantwit Major. Among his guests were the actors Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, Errol Flynn and Clark Gable, in addition to politicians including Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George and a young John F. Kennedy, who visited with his parents.
Hearst was a colourful character who attracted strong opinions. President Theodore Roosevelt called him “an unspeakable blackguard with all the worst faults of the corrupt and dissolute monied man”. Winston Churchill, who stayed as Hearst’s guest at St Donat’s described him as ‘a grave simple child – with no doubt a nasty temper – playing with the most costly toys… two magnificent establishments, two charming wives (a reference to Hearst’s affair with Hollywood star Marion Davies a regular visitor to St Donat’s), complete indifference to public opinion’.
Hearst loved to put on a show. His Fourth of July celebrations in 1934 for example, included a fireworks display of such scale and extravagance that the coastguard complained it was confusing shipping in the Bristol Channel. Whether Hurst would have approved of these opportunities for all of us to get up close and personal with St Donat’s we’ll never know.
In term time you can enjoy a visit to one of the monthly Café Concerts held at UWC Atlantic Art Centre.
Performed by international students, you can enjoy a range of classical productions and in turn support them in developing their public performing skills, as they prepare for exam recitals. Concerts typically last for around 45 minutes and include a serving of tea, coffee and a biscuit – all included in the ticket price. Any profits go towards the UWC Atlantic educational charity. The cost is £6.29.
A good way to explore the history of the castle is to join a private guided tour. Tours take 90 minutes and including Afternoon Tea, cost £32.95 per person. The Afternoon Tea of sandwiches, cakes and refreshments is served in either the Dining Hall or Glassroom. You will hear more about the 19th century restoration by coal magnate Morgan Stuart Williams but it is likely to be the tales about the development of St Donats under the eccentric ownership of Randolph Hearst, which will be the most captivating.
The two-day Christmas Fayre, will be held on Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December. Over 70 local food, drink and craft traders will be exhibiting, and you can also take the opportunity to wander in the 12th century castle, arts centre and gardens. The event starts at 10.00 am and closes at 4.00pm and costs £13 per car and £3 on foot. Parking is on fields or in areas on campus a short walk from the castle so appropriate footwear is advised.