House & Family History: Idyllically set over looking lakes in an oak-studded park in the gentle rolling countryside of the Welsh Marches, Bryngwyn Hall ("white hill" in Welsh) was, until just 25 years ago, a sleeping beauty house. Shuttered by the Mackeson-Sandbach family for over 60 years in favor of Hafodunos, their grander Victorian Gothic Welsh house, Bryngwyn was gently woken from its slumbers by Auriol, Marchioness of Linlithgow (she became the third wife of the 4th Marquess in 1997; she was formerly the second wife, from 1970 to 1994, of Sir John Ropner, 2nd Bt.). She restored this small Georgian gem to its former glory. Auriol's mother, Geraldine Mackeson-Sandbach, gave her Bryngwyn in 1980 (Bryngwyn has passed through three generations of the female line [descendants of Martin Williams], since the early 19th century). The restoration took 10 years, including the removal of the early 20th century front entrance hall extension and the remodeling of the front elevation (the addition of a pediment in the style of an unexecuted 19th century plan for the House). Built in 1773-74 to designs by Robert Mylne for William Mostyn, the two-story classical brick house was damaged by fire in 1793. Sold to Lady Linlithgow's ancestor, Martin Williams, in the early 19th century, he brought in the local architect Thomas Jones to restore the House in 1813. Jones produced a number of strong Greek Revival designs for Bryngwyn, but while the handsome top-lit cantilevered stone staircase was introduced at this time, he stayed, on the whole, true to the spirit of Mylne's designs. (We are very grateful to Gareth Williams for this history of Bryngwyn).

House Listed: Grade II*

Park Listed: Not Listed

Current Seat / Home of: Auriol, Marchioness of Linlithgow.

Past Seat / Home of: William Mostyn, late 18th century. Martin Williams, early 19th century. Geraldine Mackeson-Sandbach, 20th century.

Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

Ownership Details: Available for weddings and corporate events.

House Open to Public: By Appointment

Phone: 01691-648-647

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.bryngwyn.com

Historic Houses Member: No