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Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales

Obelisk in Bodelwyddan Castle Garden

Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, Wales

The record

Designation
Listed building, Grade II
Broad class
Gardens, Parks and Urban Spaces
Date of designation
6 December 2002
Locality
Bodelwyddan Castle
Community
Bodelwyddan
Unitary authority
Denbighshire
Country
Wales
Coordinates
53.25931, -3.50339
Cadw reference
80752

Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.

David 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).

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This record in Cadw's own full report ↗

Cadw's description

About 200m SW of Bodelwyddan Castle, on lawn to the E of the Walled Garden.

At first this obelisk was erected in 1837 by Sir John Hay Williams in honour of his parents; it was also used in 1857 in memory of his brother-in-law by Hugh, 3rd baronet Bodelwyddan. It stood at the edge of woodlands overlooking the castle. It was removed to its present location in 1990.

The 1857 inscription records ''''the unvarying kindness and interest to this place of the late Henry Peyto Verney 8th Lord Willoughby de Broke'''' (d1852). The overstretched Bodelwyddan fortune was rescued when Margaret, sister of the 3rd baronet, married into the wealth of the Willoughby de Broke family of Compton Verney, Warwickshire. After her husband Lord Willoughby de Broke''s death Lady Margaret spent copiously on Bodelwyddan estate improvements including most notably the Marble Church, despite opposition from her late husband''s family.

A limestone obelisk about 5m in height, including an inscribed pedestal. Simply moulded plinth and cornice to the pedestal. The main inscription commemorates the 8th Lord Willoughby de Broke''s interest in the castle and estate leading to considerable improvements under his widow, Lady Margaret. Floral carved band around the mid height of the obelisk with family names.

Listed as a fine commemorative obelisk which is an important feature of the garden at Bodelwyddan.

Nearby in the register

Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.

Designated Historic Asset GIS Data, The Welsh Historic Environment Service (Cadw), 2026-09-07, licensed under the Open Government Licence http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/ Cadw, the Welsh Historic Environment Service · Open Government Licence v3.0
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