Atlantic College St Donat's Glamorgan

Description

Photography by John Ball - 19 March 1999
(with Agfa ePhoto307 digital camera)

Atlantic College was founded in 1962, by Kurt Hahn and others, and claims to be "..a practical response to the search for new and peaceful solutions to a world riven by political, racial and economic divisions". More than 300 students from many backgrounds are drawn together from some 70 countries to live, study and explore the concepts of international understanding and active service to others. Respect and understanding of diverse cultures motivate the academic and social life of the college. Atlantic College was the first of such colleges which are now found in ten different countries and on all five continents.

Atlantic College has at its centre an inspiring coastal castle (Image 1) situated on a promontory overlooking a wooded valley and the Bristol Channel.

Image 2:

One of the dormitory blocks.

The castle was built between 1285 and 1300 and was owned in the 1920s by the American newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, who enlarged it with beautiful medieval buildings and artifacts from England and France. He also installed a swimming pool (now replaced with two modern pools), central heating and 34 marble bathrooms, some continuing in use - others more mundanely acting as departmental offices.

Image 3:

The castle looks out over the terraced gardens to the Bristol Channel.

Image 4:

The castle viewed from one of the lower terraces.

Image 5:

These surreal mythological stone figures inhabit one of the lower terraces.

Image 6:

The bottom terrace leads directly to the seashore and a small beach surrounded by low cliffs, here seen glowing in the evening sunshine

Find out more at the Atlantic College website

• http://www.jlb2011.co.uk/walespic/archive/990404.htm (link opens in new window)