"Few had heard of Hafodunos Hall until that night in October 2004 when its sorrowful fate was splashed across the national press.
I was travelling with a group of fellow university students on an archaeological field trip to another North Wales country house when I received a phone call from an old school friend who had caught the six o'clock news. The mobile phone was answered by another friend as I was driving; she knew Hafodunos well as we had spent many a summer evening exploring the gardens, occasionally catching glimpses of the Victorian mansion, looming high above through the trees and shrubbery. A look of astonishment overtook her face as she relayed to the rest of the car that Hafodunos was fast alight, flames 30 feet above the roofline - the whole of the main block was ablaze. The tower was precarious - it was thought that the fire had caused it to become unstable and its collapse seemed imminent!
All of us fell into a shocked silence; I muttered several times - "Is he sure that the entire house is on fire?"
Situated close by the village of Llangernyw, Hafodunos Hall was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott between 1860 and 1866 for Henry Robertson Sandbach, whose family had bought the estate in 1833. The new house replaced one which had been built in early 17th century, although the site had been occupied for several hundred years previous.
Hafodunos is a Venetian-inspired Gothic building, predominantly of two storeys with an attic, built in soft red brick with diaper work and extensive stone dressings to windows and doors. The garden front is the most impressive side of the house, with the octagonal rotunda to the right, the entrance front tower at the back and the conservatories and service quarters to the left.
Inside the house the most notable surviving features are a series of plaster bas-reliefs designed by John Gibson, the international sculptor who was also close friends with the Sandbach family. Five other Gibson marble reliefs from the house, and a free standing nymph by R J Wyatt, are now at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool.
Since leaving the hands of the Sandbach family during the early 1930s, Hafodunos has had a succession of owners and different uses, from being a private girls' school to an old people's home. It finally shut down in 1993 and no suitable long-term use was found. Dry rot had become a major problem, spreading rapidly through the servants' quarters into the main house. By 1998 Conwy Council were contemplating serving an Urgent Works Notice, but unfortunately the owner died leaving the estate in debt. Hafodunos was put on the market again and was eventually bought in 2001 by a Colwyn Bay developer.
During the late spring of 2004 he unveiled plans for a hotel and caravan park, but on the night of 14 October the house was the subject of a devastating fire which gutted the main block. However, the conservatories and service wing remained virtually unscathed. It's future is now uncertain.
Hafodunos is one of the most important Victorian country houses in Wales; despite the devastating fire which has gutted the interior of the main block, much of its estate and grounds have remained remarkably intact and untouched. The house itself was recognised by CADW and the Victorian Society as being the most important example of Gilbert Scott's domestic architecture in Wales and was listed as Grade I.
Despite this the hall, like many others in North Wales, was allowed to fall into a state of decay. Its future lay undecided for years, desperately seeking its saviour; this trust in providence ultimately resulted in the loss of its interior and has left its survival, even as a ruin, in great peril.
What is to become of this national treasure, which is on the cusp of being lost to Wales?
I chose Triumph of the Martyr as the title for the history of Hafodunos from one of the poems by Margaret Sandbach (nee Roscoe), entitled Aurora, inspired by the statue of the same name which was commissioned for Hafodunos. Margaret Sandbach was greatly inspired by her Welsh home and surrounding countryside, publishing many of her works from the hall.
Sadly, Hafodunos can be seen as being a martyr for the cause of historic buildings in Wales, as it was empty and neglected for years and then in one night, burnt out.
From 'Aurora' by Margaret Sandbach:
The triumph of the Martyr,
Of him who will not barter
His Soul for earthly good;
Whose holy heart is fixed,
Possessed of peace unmixed,
It is strong solitude.
In my book I explore the history and significance of Hafodunos Hall which has hitherto been mostly unpublished or generally unknown."
your comments
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Charles, Colwyn Bay
I've heard that a sale of the property is being prevented at the moment due to legal issues. Those familiar with its recent ownership history can probably work out why.
Fri Apr 3 10:58:34 2009
David, Llandudno
I don't think the residents are opposed to a renovation of the house and gardens per se; merely opposed to any large-scale scheme (such as the large hotel and 90 chalets idea proposed by SFJ Ltd) that would overwhelm their community and culture. It's about coming up with the correct scheme that respects both Hafodunos and the surrounding community.
Wed Mar 25 12:06:35 2009
Oliver Edwards, Conwy
As mentioned by some people, the attitudes of the majority (not all) of the locals needs to change. They would rather see it just disintegrate than have so-called 'outsiders' come in and restore a national treasure. They should be both ashamed and ignored. If anyone is willing to invest time and money to making this piece of history breathe again they should be supported fully.
Tue Mar 24 10:03:50 2009
Cresswell
Does anyone know the history of the hall and staff in the 1880s please?
Tue Feb 24 14:51:30 2009
Karen Gallagher from Brisbane
Sorry to hear the fate of this magnificent building, I was an accountancy student at Hafodunos while it was a training college in the early '70s, owned by Caer Rhun Hall.Hope it gets restored to its former beauty.
Mon Dec 29 10:39:34 2008
Diana Johnson
I lived with my mother at Hafodunos Hall in the early 1940s to escape WW2. The Hall was requisitioned by Dinorben School and all its pupils lived there during this time. I remember the monkey puzzle trees and the underground garage with the witch. We had an outbreak of mumps and we were confined to the conservatory. I was about three years old. Does anyone else remember me or these times?
Mon Dec 29 10:22:26 2008
Dave Roberts, Llandudno
Hafodunos did not go up for auction, it is up for sale and the sale process is still continuing. I will let you know what happens.
Mon Jun 23 11:36:38 2008
Sally Owen ( Moss )
I was a student at Hafodunos, from 1966 -1969. It was a truely beautiful building and young as we all were then we loved it. I am heartbroken that it has come to this, what a travesty! I hope that someting will be done, we cannot keep letting our heritage disapear like this. Karen Burns I remember you.
Fri Jun 20 10:04:27 2008
Eleanor Dixon nee Needham
I too was a student at Haffo in its last year as a girls school - 1968/9. I loved the building and grounds and I still feel they are a part of me (though, like another contributor, it was not the happiest of my school days!). I visited it on my honeymoon in 2001 - the memories were overwhelming. I only learned today (19.06.08) of the fire and am deeply saddened. What happened at the auction - does anyone know?
Fri Jun 20 09:50:36 2008
Karen Marie, Stockport
I first discovered Hafodunos Hall in 2007 I stumbled across the place whilst out walking my dog, I was so impressed by it that I recently went back there with friends to show them this magical place that I had talked about so often and they too were both amazed and stunned that this beautiful place was being left to rot away. I have read all about the fire and heard how damn small minded villagers have done everything they can to ensure this place is left to rot away quietly, they should all be ashamed of themselves... come to Manchester and take a look around and then go home and realise just how lucky you are to have such a beautiful historic place such as Hafodunos on your doorstep, you should be doing all you can to ensure this place is restored back to its former glory!
Thu May 22 09:49:55 2008
Carl, Cheshire.
It bemuses me that this amazing Hall has been left to deteriorate simply because the petty locals are so afraid of outsiders coming into their precious village... which come on... the only good thing about that village is Hafodunos Hall, because its certainly not the friendly, pleasant, charming people whose lack of community spirit is shameful!
Thu May 22 09:48:41 2008
Hazel Johnston ( nee Vasey)
When it was a school I was a pupil at Hafodunos Hall from 1958 - 1962, visited the village of Llangernyw during my honeymoon in 1968. I heard that the scool had been closed, and just Googled it by chance as I have often wondered what happened to the building, it was such an amazing place and the gardens were renowned worldwide for their rare plants and trees. I can't pretend it was a happy period of my life, but I always apreciated the beauty of the building and grounds, the entrance hall had amazing marble floor to ceiling pillars and marble staircase which we pupils were not allowed to use.
Mon May 19 10:07:28 2008
Chairman: Haffodunos Housing Co-Op Ltd.
As one of the driving forces behind a rescue scheme for Haffodunos Hall, I am still reeling with disgust at the total lack of support and apathy, from not only the local community but the very people who are paid out of our taxes to protect and secure such buildings as a national treasure to even protect heritage its self. Its a grade 1 listed building so pull your finger out. Someone has to rebuild it. So get on with it.
Wed Apr 23 11:31:39 2008
Adrian Jones, Cheshire
What a waste, I had the plesure of working on the hall back in 1983, doing the decorating, prior to it being used as the old peoples home.I had some brilliant times there at that time, I still visit the village, and the most wonderfull pub, The Stag, it has hardly changed in all the time, if only the Hall could say the same.
Mon Apr 14 10:09:52 2008
Diana Walker from Haydon, Radstock
I was so sad to see what had happened to Hafodunos Hall. I was a student at Haffo (as we called it) from 1959 to 1965.It was such a lovely building with a wide marble staircase off the main hall (which we were not allowed to use), we used the oak staircases. The senior dining room used to be the library and the old books were still there behind protective doors. The junior dining room was in the old conservatory. We loved the gardens with the alcoves under the upper terrace and the fir trees at the bottom of the gardens, which we used to climb. I hope that this lovely hall can be restored to its former glory.
Thu Feb 7 10:45:56 2008
Colin Neill
I live near to the Hall and frequently meet many who have returned to reminisce about their years spent at Hafodunos. They all leave with a sense of sadness when they the state of the Hall now. They have great stories to tell - such a pity these memories will never be recorded anywhere.
Mon Sep 3 10:26:03 2007
Anonymous
As a descendant of the Scott family - my grandmother is the last Scott alive now, i believe - it never ceases to amaze and delight me that these buildings are still admired so!
Tue Apr 10 10:54:07 2007
Nerys Perry,Abergele
14 years ago I had my wedding photos done at the Hall.I had one taken in front of the stained glass window,and one next to the Marble fire place and I had a couple done outside.It is a big shame it was burnt down it was a beautiful place .It is nice to have some photos for memories.
Tue Mar 27 09:50:59 2007
Karen Burns from France
I was searching through old photos last night and found the front page of the "catalogue" for Hafodunos Hall. Curious, I looked it up on internet and to my horror saw that it had burnt.
I was a student there from 1966 to 1969. It was a magnificent building and the gardens were immaculate. I can even remember midnight feasts in the cellars !!
Anecdote : I met one of my teachers in the lift of a hotel in Singapore in 1976 !!!!
Wed Mar 14 09:42:22 2007
Rhonda Crane Washington DC, USA,
I was a student at Hafodunos between 1957-58. As the most junior class, we took our lessons in the Conservatory and walked the garden paths, studying nature. There was a fire there that year and it burned down an outer building where we studied dancing. It is heartbreaking to see the neglect of such a splendid building. To be blessed with such a heritage and then let it degenerate into ruin is a crime.
Mon Feb 19 10:20:38 2007
Howard Kingsbury from Chatteris
Hafodunos is a warning to those who want more decisions taken at local level. The future of a Grade I-II monument should ultimately be referred to central government.
Thu Nov 2 09:46:52 2006
Dorothy Wood, Llangernyw
About thirty years ago a gent from Chester applied to build Scandinavian type chalets and Hafodounos into 5 star Hotel, swimming pool, Golf course. - turned down 3 times.Village folk wouldn't have it. Such a pity - Now look what we've got!!! SO Sad!!!
Fri May 5 15:36:51 2006
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What will become of one of the most important Victorian country houses in Wales asks Mark Baker, author of a book on the subject.
