Boundary Wall to Vaynol Park, including railings along the Menai Strait shore.

Cadw's description

Location

Approximately 2.5km of stone boundary wall enclosing the landward side of Vaynol Park and bordering the A487.

History

Wealth created by the Dinorwic Slate Quarries enabled Thomas Assheton-Smith and his descendants to carry out continual improvements to Vaynol Park including the gardens and landscape, and in this case also the estate boundary wall which was begun in 1863, the piers being finally capped in 1870. The total cost is recorded as being £25,098, a remarkable amount. The Agent's Account Books for 1860's and 1870's have numerous references to "expenditure on Vaynol [or Park] wall".

Exterior

The wall is of local snecked and rock-faced stone rubble with fine Dinorwic slate copings closely and jaggedly set to project both sides. It begins at the N end near the road junction of the A487 and A5, SE of the Britannia Bridge, and runs downhill (S) past the entrance to the Vaynol Farm drive and that of Capel-y-Graig Lodge as far as the roundabout junction of the A487 with the A4087. It then turns SW past the fine main drive entrance in front of the Grand Lodge, and continues in a highly distinctive crinkle-crankle fashion as far as the junction with the B4547 where the walls steps back behind Nant Cottage - the story is that the owner refused to sell so that the wall had to divert behind it. Beyond, the wall borders a narrow winding stretch of road as far as the entrance gate piers to the lane to Caerefail (Aberpwll), set at right angles and facing into Felinheli. It then turns inwards, crossing and following the course of the Nant-y-garth, past the tall gate piers at Bryntirion lodge. The wall meets the Menai Strait shore at the harbour at Port Dinorwic. From there a lower boundary wall follows N along the shore line including a stretch near Vaynol Dock and Boathouse, which has iron railings on a stone plinth. At 25253 36838 this wall spans the mouth of a short canal that once served an earlier lime kiln, it passes then under the W drive. A railed clair-vue breaks the wall opposite Bath Cottage.

Reason for designation

The full extent of this remarkable boundary wall is listed for its shape, construction and coping which make it, with the very similar wall at the Penrhyn Estate, amongst the finest of its kind in Wales. Of group value with the Main Entrance, the Grand Lodge, and other listed items at Vaynol Park.