History

Vaynol was given to the crown after the last of tthe Williams family died without issue in 1696. Before 1723 the estate was granted to John Smith, MP, Chancellor of Exchequer and Speaker in the House of Commons, and in 1764 it was left to Thomas Assheton of Cheshire, who then took the name of Smith. Marriages of various descendants introduced the Duff and Vivian names. The Vaynol Estate was enlarged enormously from the wealth created by the Dinorwic Slate Quarries, one of the two most inportant in Wales. However, much of this property was sold by Sir Michael Duff in 1967, and after his death in 1980, the remaining Vaynol Park was sold in 1984, passing out of the family.

Bryntirion appears to be of late C17 or early C18 origins and was given a late Georgian remodelling early in the C19. It is documented in the C19 as being the agent's house, and its size and character indicate that it was always one of the most important houses in Vaynol Park. Victorian alterations and enlargements followed, with modern changes (?1956) to the outbuildings to form Bryntirion Bach at the N end.

Exterior

Built of coursed rubble, with slate roofs. Mostly of 2 storeys and attic, the main front is of 4 window bays, continuing to the N as a lower structure formerly for service accomodation, without attic. A rubble screen wall divides off Bryntirion Bach. The main front, facing E, is of 2 builds, the more northerly relating to the early C19 remodelling in a slightly different stone. Twelve-paned sash windows, and a portico, off-centre, with panelled surround and porch with Ionic columns (replaced), and half-glazed doors. The attic floor has four gabled dormer windows with 12-pane sashes in the very tall hipped roof. The S front is rendered and lined, and has 2-pane C19 sash windows either side of a projecting, canted 4-storey central bay, also with 4-pane sash windows, and unusually, gabled dormers with similar windows on all 3 faces. Similar gabled dormers light the attic of each side bay. At the downhill end (S) is a rustic archway of largely drystone construction. Two tall chimney stacks with multiple flues.

Interior

The main rooms lead off a long entrance hall with segmental arches, deeply moulded cornice and architraves to the 6-panelled doors. Panelled shutters to the windows. An early C18 dog-leg stair with a shaped handrail and turned balusters lies off the corridor. One room has a Dinorwic slate chimneypiece. The house is said to retain a strongroom for the estate deeds. Stone flagged and brick vaulted cellar.

Reasons for Listing

Graded II* as a fine early house with interesting development, for its well preserved interior and importance to Vaynol Park.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Wikidata Q17740804

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Cork: City and County (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
• 
  Somerset: North and Bristol: The Buildings of England (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Yorkshire West Riding: Leeds, Bradford and the North (Pevsner Architectural Guides / Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets