The 18th Century Grade I listed historic park with its eccentric follies has legendary associations with King Arthur. Legends recount how in the time of King Arthur the Red Castle belonged to two giants called Tarquin and
Tarquinus, and their fearsome brother Sir Carados who captured Sir Gawain. Sir Lancelot and Sir Tristam of the Round Table set out to rescue their friend. They encountered Sir Carados carrying Sir Gawain bound and tied
across his saddle and after a legendary fight Sir Lancelot killed the giant at Killguards near Weston Church freeing Sir Gawain. The Grotto at Hawkstone Park has also been linked with the Grail. In 1920 a small stone cup
was found hidden in the base of an eagle statue that then stood in the Grotto. It was identified as an early Roman scent jar, and recent research has suggested that it may have been the vessel that inspired the medieval Grail legend.