Vaynol Old Hall - not to be confused with the 19th century Vaynol New Hall - was one of the candidates for the BBC's Restoration battle. Backers want to see this great example of Welsh architecture, which combines styles from many different eras, restored to its former glory.
Vaynol Old Hall was the centre of the Vaynol Estate from around the 1550s until the New Hall was built in 1800. Vaynol Park is all that remains of the once vast Vaynol Estate which, at its height covered over 35,000 acres of land stretching form the Menai Straits into Snowdonia and down into the Llyn Peninsula. Today, a seven-mile-long stone wall encloses a 1,000 acre estate on the Menai Strait, with over 60 listed structures and 1,000 acres of park and farmland.
The earliest reference to anyone living on the Vaynol estate is William de Hunton in 1394. The first record of the estate as we know it today came when High Sheriff Thomas Wyn ap Willim (Thomas Williams) took ownership in 1572. The Williams family remained a potent force in North Wales throughout the 17th century, taking full advantage of the benefits given to the Welsh gentry after the Act of Union with England in 1536. They also courted some controversy for being alleged Catholics in a time when it was illegal to be so, and for taking part, on both sides, in the Civil War.
In the 19th century, the estate fell into the hands of the Assheton Smith family, who exploited the rich deposits of slate quarried on the land. The Vaynol remained in their possession until 1980, when the final Assheton Smith, Sir Michael, died and the land was sold at auction.
The Old Hall is the most noteworthy historic building within the park, and it bears the progression of history from Elizabethan times. During recent work on the building it became apparent that parts of the Vaynol Old Hall are much older than previously thought, possibly dating back to medieval times.
The Old Hall looks like the home of an ambitious Tudor gentleman, and was described in the18th century as having been a place of 'conviviality and mirth'. But it also has its mysteries. Thomas Williamss's grandson and wife were suspected of being Catholics, and when they died were buried at night at Bangor Cathedral with no service. A blocked area in the house's basement might possibly be a priest-hole (it also might possibly be a toilet). There have also been three ghostly apparitions sighted within the hall.
Though the Old Hall is in need of extensive repairs, many of the old features remain, including the original front door, 17th century staircase and the round arched kitchen fireplace. In its present stripped state Vaynol Old Hall affords a unique insight into the development of a house through the ages.
your comments
Mike Mumford (Mumford Books) Rhos-on-Sea
I'm doing reasearch about the Vaynol Estate. I used to work for Sir Michael Duff in 1953/54 and have fond memories of the family atmosphere, and self-sufficient life. I learnt a lot, took some photographs of the gardens, the old Mausoleum, where the old lead caskets were kept, deep in the woods. The white cattle, the beautiful three lakes, wild woodland which was quite dense, with lots of wildlife.
Wed May 27 10:12:02 2009
J Robinson from Southport,
My grandfather, Frank Branchett was a game keeper at Vaynol park, back in the the 1930s, my father grew up there, with his mother Mary and sister Freda.
Tue Nov 4 10:11:56 2008
Ben Jones Vaynol Estate
I am going to live in the old hall and currently in the buttlers cottage while the hall is being restored by my parents.
Mon Sep 17 10:03:06 2007
Jon Lort Ackroyd from Campbell River, BC, Canada
My great grandfather and several of his children lived in the Old Hall around 1890 onwards: William Lort was secretary and good friend to Assheton-Smith. I have been here only once but I do have some old photos.I wish there was some way to see this programme. I hope the Old Hall can be restored.Is there anyone else out there interested in the Lort family?
Mon Aug 20 10:24:58 2007
Bob Bolland, Shrewsbury
Have been twice now to the Faenol Festival. This year we took our caravan. This gave us time to explore this fascinating area. We thought the manor was exquisite with its wonderful wall and garden features that must surely be renovated as part of the Welsh heritage. The iron gates around the house and gardens were wonderful and like everything else must be restored to its former glory. Money must not be a major issue. Look what happened to the lost gardens of Heligon in Cornwall.
Tue Aug 29 10:29:17 2006
Claire, Holyhead
I first visited the grounds to watch the Australian Pink Floyd not knowing much about the place. Whilst walking to gig from the car parking area my friends and I noticed the old house, commenting how lovely it would be to get inside and have a proper look around. Low and behold my prayers were answered, when later on that summer we noticed an advert for an open day in a local paper. It was amazing!!!
To look around the old hall and it's garden even in their present condition and then the rest of the estate was so wonderful it was, and still, is beyond words. We walked and talked, imagning what it must of been like to work and live there. We even collected one or two conkers from the lovely horse chestnut trees within the grounds. I still have the conkers and am reminded of my visit every time we get them out to play. I would love to see the old hall restored to it's former glory. It would be really good if they could get locals to help with the resteration. I for one would volenteer as I'm sure so many others would, just to be able to see it all coming together. What a magical job that would be.
Tue Jul 18 09:48:35 2006
John Hughes Ynys Mon
Re the name Vaynol whigh as someone noted is a most un-Welsh name. The Welsh for manor is Maenol and the locals refer to the hall as Y Faenol i.e.The Manor so I would guess that the original Welsh name was at some time changed to the Vaynol. There is as most Welsh people know no V in the Welsh language and this type of Anglicization has been with us for many years. I have seen Caernarfon spelt as Carnarvan!
Sat Aug 13 12:40:48 2005
Ken Thomas, York
I used to work for Sir Michael Duff in 1953/54, and have fond memories of the family atmosphere, and self sufficient life style they kept, growing there own fruit and bottling the said fruit - blackberry, raspberry, strawberry and blackcurrant jams were but a few. They grew grapes, bananas, and other tropical fruit.
They generated their own electricity, which ran on 110 volts, similar to the American system.
The house was very beautiful inside and out, a Mrs Thorpe was the housekeeper, Sir Michael's old nanny. In the short time I spent there I met a lot of gracious people who came down to the staff to thank us for the services rendered. I learnt a lot, took some photographs of the gardens, the old Mausoleum, where the old lead caskets were kept, deep in the woods. The white cattle, the beautiful three lakes, wild woodland which was quite dense, with lots of wildlife. Sir Michael had a vast number of photographic albums showing his trips abroad, hunting the wild beasts of different continents. What pleasant memories.
Wed Aug 3 15:34:35 2005
