Raised Balustraded Terrace immediately W of Plas Brondanw

Cadw's description

Location

Prominently sited in front of the house, under the canopy of an old evergreen oak tree.

History

Garden feature built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, architect and owner of the Brondanw estate. The gardens were laid out to his designs in various stages between his inheritance of the estate in 1908 and his death in 1978. 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

Oval slate-flagged terrace with rubble revettment walls to the W (front) and sides, where the ground slopes away; the E (house-facing) side is at ground level and is open to the centre. Simple balustrading of reconstituted stone sweeps in arcs to L and R to terminate at the house end in square, cement-stone Art Deco flower pots with rusticated pier bases; on the garden side, the balustrading terminates at a central opening with plain rusticated limestone piers with large flaming urn finials of cement-stone. Perron-style steps lead down on L and R to lower level, with re-used wrought-iron balustrading with scrollwork and urn finials (painted in the distinctive Clough Williams-Ellis blue); steps composed of cement, re-used dressed limestone and cobbles. Below the stair, a central, semi-circular moulded stone arched niche; within, a moulded basket of fruit in cement-stone.

Reason for designation

Listed as an integral feature of the nationally important gardens laid out at Plas Brondanw by Clough Williams-Ellis.