Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Wynnstay Column
Ruabon, Wrexham, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II*
- Broad class
- Commemorative
- Date of designation
- 22 February 1995
- Locality
- Wynnstay
- Community
- Ruabon
- Unitary authority
- Wrexham
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 52.98041, -3.03556
- Cadw reference
- 15746
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1795 "To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most humbly inscribed by his obedient humble servant" (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales).
Cadw's description
Location
Situated near the eastern edge of Bathground Wood, 500m NW of Wynnstay Hall.
History
The Column was erected by the mother of the fourth baronet, Dame Francis, in memory of her son Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn who died in 1788. It was designed by James Wyatt and erected in 1789. Wyatt was at that time carrying out alterations to the main house.
Exterior
Colossal stone fluted Doric column, surmounted by a large bronze urn adorned with goats heads. The column rests on square stone base with entry by a single doorway with a moulded stone architrave, late C20 steel door. On the NE side of the base is a rectangular shallow recess which originally contained an inscribed plaque reading -
'FILIO OPTIMO MATER - EHEU - SUPERSTES' [To the best of sons his mother who - alas - survives him dedicates this]. The column is over 35m high, inside there is a spiral staircase which leads to a railed walkway at the top.
Reason for designation
Graded II* as a fine example of a commemorative garden structure, which is a prominent landmark not only within the historic landscape but also in the surrounding community.
Group value with Wynnstay Hall and the other listed structures in the park and garden.
Nearby in the register
- Ice HouseDomesticunder 1 mi
- Sluice OutletGardens, Parks and Urban Spacesunder 1 mi
- CascadeGardens, Parks and Urban Spacesunder 1 mi
- Boat HouseDomesticunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.