Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Melai
Llanfair Talhaiarn, Conwy, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Domestic
- Date of designation
- 30 January 1968
- Locality
- Melai
- Community
- Llanfair Talhaiarn
- Unitary authority
- Conwy
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 53.19574, -3.64621
- Cadw reference
- 190
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of WalesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1608 "(13) Cambriae Typus." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
Located at the SW boundary of the community immediately E of the Nant Melai and the old road from Llanfair to Llangernyw; facing a farm complex and set back behind curved rubble forecourt walls.
History
Melai was an important seat in the early medieval period and was the ancestral home of the Wynnes of Melai and Maenan Abbey; from this house descended the Wynnes of Garthewin and the Lords Newborough of Rug. Melai produced High Sheriffs for Denbighshire in 1577, 1586, 1614, 1637 and finally 1712; thereafter Melai appears to have been tenanted. The Wynnes of Melai were amongst the staunchest Denbighshire supporters of the Royalist cause during the Civil War. The most distinguished of these was Colonel William Wynne, who raised a regiment of foot and a troop of horse at his own charge; he was slain at the battle of Wem in 1643.
The present house is a mid-C19 rebuilding by Lord Newborough.
Exterior
Two-storey T-shaped house of pebble-dashed rubble, with slate roof and simple 2-stage chimneys; modern capping. The 3-bay main (E-W) arm is symmetrical and has an open central arched entrance with wide, single-storey glazed porch. Flanking this are C20 16-pane casement windows; the first floor has its original mid C19 3-light wooden windows, of mullioned and transomed type with moulded detailing and small-pane glazing. The single-bay advanced S end of the N-S arm has similar windows to both floors. The rear of the main section has two C20 16-pane casements to the ground floor and 3 modern 12-pane windows to the first floor (each with opening upper part); further 12-pane windows to both floors of the single-bay return of the N-S wing. The latter has 2 entrances to its long E side, with modern part-glazed doors, each with a 16-pane window to the R, as before. To the far L is a surviving C19 horned 16-pane sash; modern windows to the first floor.
Interior
The interior was not inspected at the time of survey.
Reason for designation
Included as a good example of a C19 farmhouse the site of which has important historical significance and origins.
Group value with other listed items at Melai.
Nearby in the register
- Former Domestic Range at MelaiDomesticunder 1 mi
- Bridge immediately SW of MelaiTransportunder 1 mi
- Former Stable and Coach-house Range at MelaiDomesticunder 1 mi
- Barn Range at MelaiAgriculture and Subsistenceunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.