Name: History Talk – William Randolph Hearsts Impact on St Donat’s Castle
Start: 2026-03-10T14:00:00+00:00
Location: The Esplanade, CF64 3AU Penarth, United Kingdom

$History Talk \u2013 William Randolph Hearsts Impact on St Donat\u2019s Castle$

History Talk – William Randolph Hearsts Impact on St Donat’s Castle
Join us on 10 March at 2.00pm for an illustrated talk by Martin Blamey exploring the remarkable legacy of American media tycoon William Randolph Hearst and his profound impact on St Donat’s Castle.
Described as an “elemental force of nature”, Hearst built the largest publishing and media empire in America during the 1920s, amassing an unimaginable fortune along the way. In 1925, he purchased St Donat’s Castle in the Vale of Glamorgan and, with little regard for cost, transformed the 800-year-old medieval fortress into one of the finest castles in Wales. He filled it with rare and exquisite works of art, extraordinary objects crafted by skilled artisans, and architectural treasures sourced from across the world.
However, the story does not end with Hearst’s ownership of the castle. As Martin Blamey will reveal, the events set in motion from 1925 onwards created a fascinating and lasting legacy, ultimately leading to the founding of United World Colleges.
Tea and coffee included in the ticket price

Sgwrs Hanes – Effaith William Randolph Hearst ar Gastell Sain Dunwyd
Ymunwch â ni am 2.00pm ar 10 Mawrth am sgwrs ddarluniadol gan Martin Blamey yn archwilio dylanwad nodedig y teicŵn cyfryngau Americanaidd William Randolph Hearst a'i effaith fawr ar Gastell Sain Dunwyd.
Adeiladodd Hearst, a gafodd ei ddisgrifio fel “grym elfennol natur”, yr ymerodraeth gyhoeddi a chyfryngau fwyaf yn America yn ystod y 1920au, gan gronni ffortiwn annychmygadwy ar hyd y ffordd. Ym 1925, prynodd Gastell Sain Dunwyd ym Mro Morgannwg a, heb fawr o ystyriaeth i gost, trawsnewidiodd y gaer ganoloesol 800 mlwydd oed yn un o'r cestyll gwychaf yng Nghymru. Llenwodd y castell â gweithiau celf prin a chain, gwrthrychau rhyfeddol wedi'u saernïo gan grefftwyr medrus, a thrysorau pensaernïol o bob cwr o'r byd.
Fodd bynnag, nid yw'r stori'n gorffen gyda Hearst yn berchen ar y castell. Fel y bydd Martin Blamey yn ei ddatgelu, creodd y digwyddiadau a gychwynnwyd o 1925 ymlaen etifeddiaeth hynod ddiddorol a hirhoedlog, gan arwain yn y pen draw at sefydlu United World Colleges.
Te a choffi wedi'u cynnwys ym mhris y tocyn