# Wynnstay

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Estate near Wrexham

Wynnstay Hall Interactive map of Wynnstay Hall 52°58′35″N 3°01′51″W / 52.9763°N 3.0307°W / 52.9763; -3.0307 Type House Location Ruabon, Wrexham History Built Mid 19th century with earlier origins Site notes Architectural style French Neo-Renaissance Governing body private Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales Official name Wynnstay Designated 1 February 2022; 4 years ago (2022-02-01) Reference no. PGW(C)64(WRE) Listing Grade I Listed Building – Grade II* Official name Wynnstay Hall Designated 7 June 1963 Reference no. 1627 Listed Building – Grade II* Official name Cascade Designated 22 February 1995 Reference no. 15749 Listed Building – Grade II* Official name Wynnstay Column Designated 22 February 1995 Reference no. 15746 Listed Building – Grade II* Official name Dairy at Wynnstay Hall Designated 22 February 1995 Reference no. 15742 Listed Building – Grade II* Official name Kennels (including valeting house and attached courtyard buildings and boundary walls) Designated 22 February 1995 Reference no. 15723

**Wynnstay** is a country house within an important landscaped park 1.3 km (0.75 miles) south-east of [Ruabon](/source/Ruabon), near [Wrexham](/source/Wrexham), Wales. Wynnstay, previously Watstay, is a famous estate and the [family seat](/source/Family_seat) of the [Williams-Wynn baronets](/source/Williams-Wynn_baronets). The house was sold in 1948 and is under private ownership as of 2000.

## History

*[View near Wynnstay](/source/View_near_Wynnstay)* by [Richard Wilson](/source/Richard_Wilson_(painter)), 1771

Wynnstay, 1793

During the 17th century, [Sir John Wynn, 5th Baronet](/source/Sir_John_Wynn%2C_5th_Baronet), inherited the Watstay Estate through his marriage to Jane Evans (daughter of Eyton Evans of Watstay), and renamed it the Wynnstay Estate. The gardens were laid out by [Capability Brown](/source/Capability_Brown). Wynnstay was Brown's largest commission in Wales, work beginning in 1774 and completed in 1784, a year after his death. He replaced the older formal gardens with lawns which swept right up to the house overlooking the lake.[1]

Famous occupants of the house and estate included [Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, 4th Baronet](/source/Sir_Watkin_Williams-Wynn%2C_4th_Baronet). During the 19th century, [Princess Victoria](/source/Victoria_of_the_United_Kingdom) stayed there with her mother, [the Duchess of Kent](/source/Princess_Victoria_of_Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld).

In 1858, Wynnstay was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt on the same site, with [Benjamin Ferrey](/source/Benjamin_Ferrey) as architect.

After the house was vacated by the Williams-Wynn family in the mid-20th century, in favour of the nearby Plas Belan on the Wynnstay estate, it was bought by [Lindisfarne College](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lindisfarne_College&action=edit&redlink=1). When the school closed due to bankruptcy, the building was converted to flats and several private houses.

## Historic listing designations

Wynnstay is a [Grade II*](/source/Listed_buildings_in_Wales) listed building.[2] The gardens underwent a process of refurbishment which was completed by 2016[3][4] and are listed at Grade I on the [Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales](/source/Cadw%2FICOMOS_Register_of_Parks_and_Gardens_of_Special_Historic_Interest_in_Wales).[5]

Other structures listed at Grade II* include the [Cascade](/source/Artificial_waterfall),[6] the Wynnstay Column commemorating [Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, 4th Baronet](/source/Sir_Watkin_Williams-Wynn%2C_4th_Baronet),[7] the [dairy](/source/Dairy),[8] and the [kennels](/source/Kennels).[9]

Structures listed at Grade II include a range of garden features: a plunge pool,[10] a [boathouse](/source/Boathouse),[11] an [ice house](/source/Ice_house_(building)),[12] a sluice,[13] an [ha-ha](/source/Ha-ha)[14] a tunnel from the [kitchen garden](/source/Kitchen_garden),[15] and the walls of an earlier kitchen garden.[16] There are also a number of ancillary buildings designed to support the estate including: the estate office[17] and cottage,[18] the stables,[19] the chapel,[20] a [game larder](/source/Game_larder),[21] and school room and attached master's house.[22][23] Lastly, five [lodges](/source/Gatehouse) stand at the entrances to the estate: the West and East Broth Lodges,[24][25] the Bakers Lodge,[26] the School Lodge,[27] and the Park Lodge.[28]

## See also

- [Wynnstay Arms Hotel, Ruabon](/source/Wynnstay_Arms_Hotel%2C_Ruabon)

- [Wynnstay Arms Hotel, Wrexham](/source/Wynnstay_Arms_Hotel%2C_Wrexham)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Capability Brown Festival – Wynnstay"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190408052358/http://www.capabilitybrown.org/garden/wynnstay). 2016. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Wynnstay Hall (Grade II*) (1627)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=1627). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Latham, Laura (14 April 2016). ["Capability Brown, the Master of the English Garden"](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/15/realestate/capability-brown-the-master-of-the-english-garden.html). *The New York Times*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Hughes, Owen (3 February 2017). ["'Live like a lord' in former mansion house of one of Wales's most powerful families"](https://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/converted-library-former-stately-home-12551800). *northwales*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Wynnstay (PGW(C)64(WRE))"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/parkgarden/FullReport?lang=en&id=57). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 15 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Cascade at Wynnstay (Grade II*) (15749)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15749). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Wynnstay Column (Grade II*) (15746)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15746). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Dairy at Wynnstay (Grade II*) (15742)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15742). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["The Kennels at Wynnstay (Grade II*) (15723)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15723). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Plunge Pool at Wynnstay (Grade II) (15750)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15750). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Boathouse at Wynnstay (Grade II) (15745)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15745). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Icehouse at Wynnstay (Grade II) (15747)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15747). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Sluice gate at Wynnstay (Grade II) (15742)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15742). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Ha Ha to east of Kitchen Garden at Wynnstay (Grade II) (15744)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15744). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Tunnel to east of Kitchen Garden at Wynnstay (Grade II) (15743)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15743). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Former Kitchen Garden Walls at Wynnstay (Grade II) (1627)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=1627). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Estate Office at Wynnstay (Grade II) (15738)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15738). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Estate Cottage at Wynnstay (Grade II) (15740)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15740). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Stables at Wynnstay (Grade II) (15742)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15742). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Chapel at Wynnstay (Grade II) (15739)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15739). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Game Larder at Wynnstay (Grade II) (15737)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15737). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["School Room at Wynnstay (Grade II) (15756)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15756). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["House attached to School Room at Wynnstay (Grade II) (15757)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15757). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Broth Lodge West at Wynnstay (Grade II) (15751)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15751). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Broth Lodge East at Wynnstay (Grade II) (15752)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15752). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Bakers Lodge Gates and Gatepiers at Wynnstay (Grade II) (15754)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15754). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["School Lodge at Wynnstay (Grade II) (15723)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15723). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** [Cadw](/source/Cadw). ["Park Lodge at Wynnstay (Grade II) (15708)"](https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?lang=en&id=15708). *National Historic Assets of Wales*. Retrieved 16 April 2025.

## External links

- Transcript of information from *Picturesque Views of Seats of The Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland* edited by F. O. Morris (published c.1880) [\[1\]](https://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mossvalley/mv/wynnstay1.html)

- [1860 – Wynnstay Hall, Ruabon, Wales](http://two.archiseek.com/2009/1860-wynnstay-hall-ruabon-wales/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Wynnstay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wynnstay) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wynnstay?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.