15749

 

II*  

Designated  

22/02/1995  

22/02/1995  

Cascade  

 

Wrexham  

Ruabon  

 

Wynnstay  

330364  

343128  

 

Remotely sited within Wynnstay Park; in Bathground Wood 230m east of Wynnstay Column.  

Gardens, Parks and Urban Spaces  

 

Part of the major programme of works undertaken by Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, 4th bt., to the park and garden between 1768 and 1789. Designed by Lancelot `Capability' Brown as part of a scheme for a large artificial lake in landscaped setting. Brown designed a similar cascade at Bowood, Wilts. Following his death in 1782 the scheme was carried out by John Evans, possibly in an altered form. The lake, known as Belan Water, burst its dam c1900 and the area became completely overgrown. It is probable that orginally it was a double cascade with two separate waterfalls, however it seems likely that one was destroyed when the lake burst its banks.  

The cascade consists of a wall of massive sandstone blocks shaped into jagged rocks and positioned for picturesque effect. The height of the cascade is c8m and at the top it was chanelled and shaped to provide a course for water to be diverted from Belan Water.  

 

Graded II* as an important and ambitious design which was Capability Brown's last commission before his death. Group value with the other garden structures relating to this important period of improvement to the park and garden at Wynnstay.