The Bryn

Cadw's description

Location

Reached by a tree-lined drive off the street; wooded grounds to n and panoramic views across the Vale of Clwyd to E.

History

Built 1912-13 by Gronwy Robert Griffith of Denbigh. Mr Watts commissioned it for his son; 30 years earlier he had employed John Douglas to design Bronwylfa (built in 1930s) on the opposite side of the street. Finely composed Arts and Crafts design with exceptional brickwork.

Exterior

Asymmetrical 2-storey and attic, 3-bay gabled brick front showing influence of Philip Webb. Steep pitched slate roofs and brick chimney stacks, guttering dated 1913; rusticated quoins and plinth. Mostly 12-pane sash windows with voussoirs (some cambered) and keystones. Advanced and lower bay to right with 1 window to gable over arched entrance with stepped splay and 6-panel door; central bay set back and left hand bay advanced with small pane bullseye attic window; similar window below to left. Asymmetrically gabled right side with similar detail; segmental head to attic window and blind arched head to staircase window to left. Symmetrical 3-bay garden front has gabled attics to outer bays over 2-storey, 2-window squared bays with shaped parapets. Small-pane sash windows in pairs, taller to ground floor and with freestone lintel bands. Central bay has hipped roof dormer and broad segmental arch to recessed verandah leading onto terrace with rounded ends to brick walls. 2-window hipped roof to right with windows rising through eaves, modern windows to floor; greenhouse to right.

At right angles to the front of the house is the 1-storey and attic brick former 'conservatory' with slate gablet roof and cross roof attic, shingled gables and small pane casement windows; rusticated quoins and brick chimney stack adjoined to the main front by a panelled door under lean to hood. Hipped roof extension to rear forms the nw side of the service courtyard, the ne formed by an outbuilding with conical ventilators and enclosed on the SE side by the rear elevation.

Interior

Good original detail is retained internally; dog leg staircase to right with barley twist balusters and swept handrail, arched doorways. Fireplace dated 1912 to hall and similar one to dining room, both carved by Mr Watts and with dutch style glazed tiles. Extensive cellars with surviving evidence of the house's use by troops in the war.

Reason for designation

Hubbard, "Clwyd", p.442.