Beautifully painted scenes from Æsop's 2500 year old fables adorn the walls of the spectacular octagonal drawing room in Castell Coch, a Victorian fantasy castle in South Wales.
Owned by CADW (Welsh Historical Monuments), it is open to the public and well worth a visit.

Here are the Hare & Tortoise competing in their famous race and the Quack Doctor extolling the virtues of his medicine which does nothing for his own appearance.

Hare and Tortoise shown as a box lid looks equally handsome as a stool cover, cushion or picture. The Quack Doctor has been enlarged on either side with some complementary fabric and a cord made from Appleton wools completes the finish.

Hare and Tortoise

Quack Doctor

Hare and Tortoise
CANVAS: 14#/in (5.5#cm) Zweigart White de luxe canvas, 20 x 26" (51x66cm).
DESIGN: 13.5 x 18" (34 x 46cm). STITCH: Tent stitch worked with 3 threads.
WOOLS: Appleton crewel, 34 colours.
INSTRUCTIONS:

Quack Doctor
CANVAS: 18#/in ( 7#cm) White Interlock Canvas, 10 x 10" (51x66cm).
DESIGN: 6 x 6" (15x15cm). STITCH: Tent stitch worked with 2 threads.
WOOLS: Appleton crewel, 14 colours.
INSTRUCTIONS:

Castell Coch
Built in the late 1870s by the architect William Burges as a weekend retreat for the immensely rich Lord Bute, Castell Coch (Red Castle) has the dramatic appearance of a 13th century castle, with a drawbridge, portcullis and turrets.
The interior decoration throughout the castle is a riot of colourful eccentricity, fabulous workmanship and Victorian fantasy.