Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Plas Mynach
Barmouth, Gwynedd, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II*
- Broad class
- Domestic
- Date of designation
- 25 February 1992
- Locality
- Hendremynach
- Community
- Barmouth
- Unitary authority
- Gwynedd
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 52.72918, -4.06271
- Cadw reference
- 5244
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
Situated on raised ground 1.5 km to the NW of Barmouth Railway Station and lying between the railway line and the main road. Approached from the N by a private road along an embanked and revetted driveway.
History
A large country house designed in Welsh vernacular and castellated style by John Douglas, architect of Chester, for W H Jones; dated 1882 and 1886 on rainwaterheads. In its simple austerity, Plas Mynach was thought by contemporaries to be the perfect country-house design in its prominent position overlooking the sea, and its influence can be seen in several inferior local houses.
Exterior
Constructed of local stone with snecked rubble facings, dressed quoins and limestone dressings; slate roofs with characteristic unkneelered crow-step gables, oversailing eaves and grouped masonry chimneys. The composition consists of a mock-defensive low spreading tower with stair turret, a main range to the S and lowservice ranges to the N; adjoining the tower to the E, a twin-gabledgatehouse range. Of 2 storeys with tower of 3 storeys plus raised basement and single-storey service buildings. Dentilated stringcourseto main block and twin outer gables to S face with curved angles toground floor. 2, 3, and 4-light mullioned and transomed windows withsmall-pane glazing, chamfered surrounds and cills. Advanced, gabled entrance porch with moulded 4-centered arch with incised foliatedecoration, rolled angles and recessed, boarded door with decorative ironwork; slate steps. Above this a heraldic panel with initials `WHGA'. Splayed bay to ground floor of S end with incised sundial dated1890. Similar treatment to long sea-front with small stepped parapetwall to porch in angle of gabled range and 5-light window with transome to centre. Walled terraces with cappings and archway; slatesteps leading down to garden. Battered walls and corbelled parapet with raised angles to tower with clasping stair-turret with elaborateironwork weathervane. Gatehouse range with advanced gable to L with dentilated stringcourse. Wide Gothic archway to curving terrace atmain entry. Some cusped window lights and an oriel over inner archway; bellcote to roof. Curving terrace with slate copings andmassive raked buttresses. Square rubble gazebo with pyramidal roof at SW of terraced gardens.
Interior
Interior not accessible at time of inspection (October 1994) but said to retain original character.
Reason for designation
Included at II* as one of the more important country houses by John Douglas, in an apparently little-altered condition.
Nearby in the register
- Plas Mynach LodgeDomesticunder 1 mi
- Porth MynachDomesticunder 1 mi
- Catholic Church of St Tudwal including attached presbyteryReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Church HallRecreationalunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.