The haunting abandoned Welsh mansions where time has stood still

Left to crumble in the elements or be swallowed up by nature, these buildings were once grand, regal symbols of wealth and power. Steeped in history, all around Wales are these places which once held such prestige and admiration from all quarters.

But since the last person left and shut the door for the last time, they have decayed and crumbled.

Now portals to the past, or shells with potential for a new future, they remain hidden amidst the trees, behind imposing rusted gates or in lonely corners of forgotten fields - until, that is, someone happens to stumble across them again.

Here, we've taken a closer look at some of the amazing old buildings across Wales - some still with unimaginable potential if the right minds were to come together.

Baron Hill

Originally built in 1618 for the Bulkeley family - one of the most powerful dynasties in north Wales - it was remodelled into the Neo-Palladian style in 1776 by the architect Samuel Wyatt for the 7th Viscount of Bulkeley, who was also the first and last Baron of Beaumaris.

It remained the family home until the 1920s, when they moved to more modest accommodation and the mansion was then used for storage.

When the Second World War broke out, the Government requisitioned it and it was used as a billet for Polish soldiers.

Over the years, however, the house in Beaumaris and associated outbuildings has become derelict and now stands roofless and overgrown by trees.

In 2007 multi million pound plans were revealed to turn the Grade II listed building into 43 apartments in a partnership between developers Watkin Jones, Sir Richard Williams-Bulkeley and the Baron Hill Estate, but it didn't materialise.

Denbigh Hospital

Not a mansion, but one of the most remarkable abandoned buildings in Wales, Denbigh Hospital was built between 1846 and 1848 and home to 200 patients in its day. This Grade II-listed North Wales psychiatric hospital closed in 1996, before being ravaged by a number of fires, leaving it teetering on the brink of collapse.

Multi-millionaire Lawrence Kenwright, behind Signature Living Hotel Ltd, had announced he wanted to turn it into two luxury hotels and homes. But the hotel company collapsed with debts of £113 million.

Kinmel Hall

The Grade I listed building known as the Welsh Versailles was purchased at auction for £950,000 in May 2021. The property in St George in north Wales was built in 1876 by Hugh Roberts Hughes with profits from a copper mining enterprise on Anglesey. The building itself is said to have been modelled on the Palace of Versailles, hence its nickname as the 'Welsh Versailles'.

The dilapidated building is in need of significant repair with the necessary renovations likely to cost between £50m and £70m. Prior to the sale of the building last year, a specialist called Peter Hare said: “Kinmel Hall has fallen on its knees and into a state of dereliction.

“The roof, which is hanging by a thread in some areas, will require a major overhaul. Areas of vandalism and theft to the rear and sides are visible. However, the disgraceful lack of maintenance appears to be the main issue creating the majority of the advanced decay. The remaining slates should be salvageable but roof timbers will need assessing for structural reliability, and ridges, valleys, dormer casings and hips all need major works."

A plan for camping pods in the grounds were submitted last year to raise money towards the renovation. The plan was put forward by new owner Chris Cryer, whose comnpany Blue Water NW bought the site from a company registered in the British Virgin Islands. A longer term business plan to restore the mansion has also been submitted with the application but is confidential.

Plas Glynllifon

Plas Glynllifon was a grand neo-classical mansion built in the 1830-40s by Lord Newborough. It sits at the heart of a historical estate which exerted a profound influence over the landscapes and communities of Caernarfonshire for centuries.

In 1969, it played host to the Prince of Wales Investiture Ball but the mansion had lain empty for several years after a previous attempt to create a wedding venue failed. However, Paul and Rowena Williams took on the 102-room stately home in 2016 and announced multi-million pound plans to transform the house into a five star hotel.

It was sold at the end of 2020 to a Manchester developer, after going into receivership following a failed plan to turn it into a luxury hotel. Its last listed guide price was for a hefty £2m. The mansion is believed to have been left empty for the past three years.

Ruperra Castle

Built in 1626 by Sir Thomas Morgan near Caerphilly, it was one of the first 'mock' Tudor castles to be built in Wales. King Charles I spent two nights there in 1645.

It was bought as a home by John Morgan, a wealthy merchant, in the 18th century and was absorbed into the Tredegar estates of the Morgan family. It was destroyed by fire in 1785 but rebuilt and turned into a home again. In 2010 it was put up for sale for £1.5m after years of legal wrangles over the site.

We reported in September last year how controversial plans to turn part of the historic castle estate into homes were given the green light despite fierce opposition from locals and campaign groups. You can read more about that by clicking here.

Piercefield House

Heralded as a neoclassical masterpiece when it was built in the late 1700s, this architectural gem at St Arvans, in the Monmouthshire countryside, was designed by British architect John Soane - the man behind the Bank of England building.

Once overlooking 129 acres of parkland, it served as a base for US troops to conduct D-Day Landings exercises in 1944. It's laid derelict since then, despite having been bought in recent years by billionaire property development siblings David and Simon Reuben. The house is now behind permanent fencing as it is considered very dangerous.

Clawdd Manor

Thought to have been abandoned for over 20 years, this once fine Edwardian building in Caerleon was owned by the Lyne family for decades until the death of Colonel Cecil Lyne in 1979.

It was then run as a successful B&B and was bought by the Celtic Manor Resort. But it has fallen into disrepair. It was explored by Daniel Jackson, from the Rhondda, who said "Clawdd Manor has been my favourite to explore so far".

Red Dress Manor

This grand-looking former dairy farm in Llanymynech, Powys, eerily displays signs of still being inhabited. Strewn with personal effects, including photographs, lights and clothes, were it not for the decades of dust covering them you'd think someone remained in residence there. It still has photos of the last owner hanging on the wall and even the dress that gives the derelict manor house its name can still be found inside.

The derelict dairy farm dates from 1725. In 2013, a photographer gained access and took these remarkable pictures. We reported in August 2020 how it went up for sale. You can read more about that by clicking here.

Mid Wales Hospital

Another Victorian asylum, this was opened at the start of the 20th century, and closed in 1999. It included kitchens, workshops, a bakery, a tailor, printing shops and eight acres of market gardens.

The hospital was originally known as the Brecon and Radnor Counties Joint Lunatic Asylum. At least one patient is reportedly known to have died on the site from a pre-frontal lobotomy. In 2022, it was reported by the Brecon and Radnor Express that “an option has been agreed” in regards to the future ownership of the site.

Cornist Hall

Cornist Hall, in Flint, is the birthplace of a navy admiral who served under Lord Nelson but it has sat unoccupied for several years and has become a regular attraction for vandals.

The building was the 18th century family home of Thomas Totty, who served under Nelson on several ships, including HMS Invincible. It was used as a dining and wedding venue until it closed its doors in 2013.

It was previously owned by members of the Summers family, who owned John Summers and Sons Ltd, a prominent iron and steel producer in Shotton. After being taken over by Clwyd Council in 1953, the house was modified for catering purposes. The building was under private ownership from 1987, before being sold to a new owner. As of last year, it remained boarded up after several incidents of vandalism.

Cwrt

This derelict house is in Llanychaer in Pembrokeshire. According to Urban Ghosts Media, it has an intact roof despite its dilapidated exterior. The website also cites the 1811 Tour of Pembrokeshire book, in which Richard Fenton described the house as “a handsome modern mansion”.

“Today, its outbuildings are also in ruins and the tree stump in the foreground is all that remains of a cedar grown from a seed brought from the Holy Land,” says Urban Ghosts Media.

Great Frampton

Great Frampton is a late 18th century front on a 16th century house. Gutted by fire in the late 1990s, Great Frampton became a hollow shell. According to the website WelshRuins.co.uk, the famous astronomer, Nathaniel Pigott, stayed at Frampton, near Llantwit Major, during the 1770s and erected an observatory. Great Frampton also has a walled garden.

Edwinsford House

Grade II-listed Edwinsford was the residence of Sir Rice Williams, the high sheriff of Carmarthenshire in the 1680s. Built on the left bank of the River Cothi, north of Llandeilo, in 1635, it fell into disrepair in the 1970s.