662

 

II*  

Designated  

04/06/1952  

28/01/2004  

Gwerclas Hall  

 

Denbighshire  

Cynwyd  

 

Gwerclas  

305281  

342135  

E  

Located approximately 1.5km NW of Cynwyd, and reached by a lane which leads from Pont Dyffrdwy.  

Domestic  

 

A fine classical-style house dated 1767, built on the remains of an Elizabethan or Tudor house. Gwerclas was a seat of the indigenous Welsh aristocracy, and its rebuilding in the C18 may have been a conspicuous display of their power and wealth. The house is little altered, except that the former deep eaves cornice has been lost and the roof slates were replaced by tiles in the mid-late C20.  

Double depth square-plan house with symmetrical 3-window front of 3 storeys with attics and cellars. Symmetrically-arranged 2-storey gabled wings, advanced to front. The main range and wings are on a rubble stone plinth, possibly related to the C16 house. Brick-fronted, but otherwise of random stone construction, under a hipped tiled roof with modillion eaves; red brick chimney stacks. The front has hornless sash windows with gauged brick heads. Central entrance with fine classical-style open porch; a cornice with triangular pediment is supported on round columns with Ionic capitals. Inside is a replaced part-glazed panelled door within a moulded doorcase. Flanking the entrance are tall round-headed sash windows. To the 1st floor are 2 tall Venetian windows, between which is a large sandstone tablet bearing a stylised painted urn in relief. It bears the date, 1767, and the initials HH LM, said to relate to H. Hughes and Margaret Lloyd. The 2nd floor has 3 x 12-pane sash windows. The fronts of the wings each have a central Venetian window to the ground floor and a pair of 12-pane sashes to the 1st floor. Blind semi-oculus to each gable. The inner side of each wing has a cavetto-moulded stone cornice. Red brick ridge stack to N wing, that to S wing taken down. The windows to the sides and rear of the house are mainly wooden casements with lead quarries or iron glazing. To the S side is a 2-light window to L of attic storey, which lights the stairs. A 2nd attic window to the R has been infilled with brick. Lighting the cellar stairs, to the L, is a 2-light stone window with ovolo-moulded mullion, probably not in situ. The rear elevation has a brick ridge stack. Very tall stairlight to R, consisting of continuous 2-light casement windows with quarries, beneath which is a late C20 boarded door leading to the ground floor. To the L are 3-light casement windows to each of the 3 main storeys, not symmetrically arranged, and with timber lintels. C20 boarded door with small light to far L of ground floor. To the centre of the basement storey is a 2-light stone window with chamfered mullion, said to have been re-used from elsewhere. W side of main block has 2 attic windows; a long service range adjoins at right angles beneath (cross ref.) The S side of the S wing is roughcast and has no openings. A gable with stack was added c1900, the original brick ridge stack having been removed. Its W gable end has a 3-light window to each storey. The N side of the N wing faces into a courtyard of outbuildings (cross ref.).  

Large central stair-hall with reception rooms leading off and staircase to rear. Fine full-height open-well staircase, contemporary with construction of house. Turned wooden balusters and newel posts, with moulded wreathed handrail and decorated tread ends; there are said to be 50 steps. In front of the staircase is a wide depressed archway with fluted pilasters, cornice and moulded keystone; panelled moulded reveals. The stair-hall has a flagstone floor, laid in a diaper pattern. Plastered ceiling has cross-beam with shallow chamfer. Panelled doors with raised fields in large panelled doorcases, each bearing a classical-style frieze to the top between decorative capitals. Reception rooms not seen.  

Listed as an ambitious C18 gentry house retaining good contemporary detail, and apparently built on the footprint of its submedieval predecessor.