Author Topic: Exploring The Area  (Read 193422 times)

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Offline Merddin Emrys

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Re: Exploring The Area
« Reply #45 on: February 20, 2011, 09:15:56 pm »
Tell Fester MORE about Baron Hill.

Who used to live there?  Why did it fall into such disrepair?

There must be a fascinating tale of riches to rags behind this..

I've never heard of it until Dave told me last Wednesday, you can see more here

 http://druidsrevenge.blogspot.com/2010/10/hanes-mon-lost-mansion-of-baron-hill.html

and here

The Lost Mansion of Baron Hill, Anglesey, Wales

if you want to go there, I'm up for another trip anytime 8)

A pigeon is for life not just Christmas

Offline DaveR

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Re: Exploring The Area
« Reply #46 on: February 20, 2011, 09:31:49 pm »
Originally built in 1618 for the Bulkeley family (one of Anglesey's most powerful families), Baron Hill was remodelled into the Neo-Palladian style in 1776 by the architect Samuel Wyatt.

It remained the Bulkeley family home until sometime in the 1920s, when a combination of Death Duties and the increasing cost of maintenance meant they moved to more modest accommodation and the mansion was then used for storage.

When World War II broke out, the Government requisitioned it and it was used as a billet for Polish soldiers. The Polish soldiers were unhappy with the large, cold rooms and decided to start a small fire, so that they would be rehoused in more comfortable accommodation. The resulting blaze destroyed a large part of the main building's interior. The soldiers were rehoused - but into portable huts in the mansion's grounds.

The mansion has been abandoned ever since the war ended and has gradually decayed further. It is still owned by Lord Bulkeley and a Planning Application was recently submitted to restore the building as 43 apartments.

I visited it several times last year, in order to document it all before any renovation work started, all of the photos can be viewed here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/davellandudno/sets/72157624673167040/

Here a couple:

Main Rear Facade of the Mansion - would once have had views right across to Llandudno:

The Return by davidrobertsphotography, on Flickr

This door survives intact hanging about 20 foot up - the floors have long since gone:

Hanging Around by davidrobertsphotography, on Flickr

Remains of the Ovens in one of the Kitchens:

Baron Hill by davidrobertsphotography, on Flickr

The mystery man in action on the Grand Staircase...but who took the photo?

Guess Who? by davidrobertsphotography, on Flickr



Offline Fester

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Re: Exploring The Area
« Reply #47 on: February 20, 2011, 09:57:56 pm »
Ah yes, I should have realised that the Bulkeley family would be involved in such a prestigious property.

I have come across many references to Bulkeley family members being patrons and major financiers of bridge building, road projects and pier development in many parts of Angelsey.

Fascinating stuff.

Fester...
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Offline DaveR

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Re: Exploring The Area
« Reply #48 on: February 20, 2011, 10:07:08 pm »
Yes, they had their fingers in...many pies.

Another major ruin well worth a visit is Gwrych Castle at Abergele, not as old as it perhaps looks dating from around 1819 but an interesting place to look around. You can even go up to the Hesketh Tower seen in the right background of the photo below for stunning views over the coast

The entire facade:

Gwrych Castle - View from Driveway by davidrobertsphotography, on Flickr

Main building from the Hesketh Tower:

Gwrych Castle - Looking down from Hesketh Tower by davidrobertsphotography, on Flickr

A further 20 minute walk takes you up to Lady Emily's Tower (the small square tower on top of the cliff visible from the A55), which has this view over to Rhyl:

Gwrych Castle - Looking from Lady Emily's Tower over to Rhyl by davidrobertsphotography, on Flickr

Offline Merddin Emrys

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Re: Exploring The Area
« Reply #49 on: February 20, 2011, 10:20:44 pm »
Gwrych Castle will be our next visit  sometime this week  D)
A pigeon is for life not just Christmas

brumbob

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Re: Exploring The Area
« Reply #50 on: February 20, 2011, 11:31:23 pm »
So, these the battlements you can see when driving along the A55? I've often wondered what they were.

Offline Fester

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Re: Exploring The Area
« Reply #51 on: February 20, 2011, 11:53:58 pm »
The very same..... A Victorian creation, made to look medieval.     Crying shame that its not already a 5 star health spa or hotel.
Fester...
- Semper in Excretum, Sole Profundum Variat -

Offline Nemesis

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Re: Exploring The Area
« Reply #52 on: February 21, 2011, 11:17:48 am »
When our daughter was small there were often jousting events held there.
Mad, Bad and Dangerous to know.

Offline suepp

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Re: Exploring The Area
« Reply #53 on: February 21, 2011, 11:25:07 am »
we would go to the jousting events too, and there was a bar at the top of a huge set of stone stairs where you could look out at the amazing view.

As far as I know the plans to turn it into a Hotel Spa are going to go ahead

Offline DaveR

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Re: Exploring The Area
« Reply #54 on: February 21, 2011, 11:35:13 am »
That staircase was marble and is still there (just about):

Gwrych Castle - Looking up Marble Staircase by davidrobertsphotography, on Flickr

Inside the main building:

Gwrych Castle - Interior of Main Building by davidrobertsphotography, on Flickr

Looking up inside one of the towers in the main building:

Gwrych Castle - Inside one of the Towers by davidrobertsphotography, on Flickr

Castle seen from the hillside at the rear:

Roofless by davidrobertsphotography, on Flickr

Offline Bri Roberts

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Re: Exploring The Area
« Reply #55 on: February 21, 2011, 12:26:30 pm »
Wasn't there a nightclub in an annexe across the main road in the early seventies ?


Offline DaveR

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Re: Exploring The Area
« Reply #56 on: February 21, 2011, 12:32:56 pm »
Wasn't there a nightclub in an annexe across the main road in the early seventies ?
Yes..and I cant remember what it was called! It was owned by a lecturer from Llandrillo College at one time. TTs! That was it. Then it was a shop selling Polish/Russian gifts, now its  a house.

Offline Bri Roberts

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Re: Exploring The Area
« Reply #57 on: February 21, 2011, 12:38:16 pm »
I don’t remember it being called that but TT’s reminds me it was also a strip club at one time.

Offline Hugo

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Re: Exploring The Area
« Reply #58 on: February 21, 2011, 01:32:43 pm »
Are you thinking of the Oasis Club that was further up the road near the turning to Rhyd Y Foel?

Offline Bri Roberts

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Re: Exploring The Area
« Reply #59 on: February 21, 2011, 02:05:01 pm »
That's the one, Hugo.

Thank you.