Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
The Orangery at Plas Brondanw Gardens
Llanfrothen, Gwynedd, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II*
- Broad class
- Gardens, Parks and Urban Spaces
- Date of designation
- 14 May 1998
- Locality
- Plas Brondanw
- Community
- Llanfrothen
- Unitary authority
- Gwynedd
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 52.95970, -4.06215
- Cadw reference
- 19816
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 LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of WalesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
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
Prominently-sited on the western boundary of the garden.
History
Orangery and summerhouse, designed by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, architect and owner of the Brondanw estate; erected c1910. He created here one of Wales' most impressive gardens distinctive for its interlinked terraces, compartments and axial vistas that are aligned on the surrounding mountains of Moel Hebog, Moelwyn, Cnicht and Snowdon.
Exterior
Rectangular 2-storey building of local rough-dressed rubble with hipped, graded roof of small slates; feathered eaves with oversailing eaves courses and tiled ridges with reconstituted stone urn finials. Symmetrical 3-bay main (NE) front with 3 arched entrances with projecting keys and imposts; recessed multi-pane French doors. Above, 3 eliptical windows with recessed small-pane glazing; half-hipped slated dormer to centre of roof with octagonal window and spoked glazing bars. External parapetted stair to rear (SW) face leading to first-floor boarded entrance with oversailing parapet to NW; open entrance and square window to recess below stair. To the right of the stair on the ground floor is an arched entrance with French door as before; to the R of the first-floor entrance is a flush lateral chimney with moulded capping and narrow 6-pane casement beyond. Arched multi-pane window to SE gable with blind square window above; this with fresco painting. The NW gable is taller and the ground slopes away from it towards the main road (A 4085). The ground floor is consequently raised on this side; French door as before, giving onto a corbelled balcony with simple iron balustrade.
In front of the orangery a long flight of 16 slate steps descends in two stages to the lower garden level to the NE; plain wrought-iron handrail with urn finials.
Reason for designation
Listed Grade II* as a fine early work by the renowned architect and conservationist Sir Clough Williams-Ellis and as the most important single garden structure at Plas Brondanw.
Group value with other listed items at Plas Bondanw Gardens.
Nearby in the register
- Revettment Walls and Circular Steps to Wall Fountain at Plas Brondanw GardensGardens, Parks and Urban Spacesunder 1 mi
- Gatepiers and Steps to W of Coach-house at Plas Brondanw GardensGardens, Parks and Urban Spacesunder 1 mi
- Classical Statue at Plas Brondanw GardensGardens, Parks and Urban Spacesunder 1 mi
- Gates, Gatepiers and Steps 50m NE of the Orangery at Plas Brondanw GardensGardens, Parks and Urban Spacesunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.