Built / Designed For: Joshua Edisbury

House & Family History: Widely acclaimed as one of Britain's finest historic houses, Erddig is one of the greatest success stories of the 20th century conservation movement. It was rescued by the National Trust from post-World War II neglect and a potentially ignominious fate after coal mining subsidence almost literally sank the house. Gifted to the Trust by the Yorke family, Erddig was well worth saving. In addition to the house, an important and distinguished piece of architecture, there was also the formal garden that retained its 18th century axes (Erddig's walled garden is one of the most important surviving 18th century formal gardens in Britain) and the spectacular contents, all original to the house. Not only were there exceptionally fine early 18th century masterpieces of cabinet making, interesting tapestries, and the accumulations built up by the Yorkes over the centuries, but the house also retained a remarkable series of staff portraits, many of which had amusing verse lines about the sitters. One of the most famous is that of Edward Barnes, Erddig’s woodman in 1830: “Long may He keep the Woods in Order / To weed a walk, or trim a Border.” One of the most interesting portraits was of Jane Ebrell, an 87-year-old housemaid and “spider-brusher.” The close relationship of staff and employers is remarkable at Erddig, as also is the well-preserved service quarters, including the estate workshops, which form a fascinating prelude to the house itself. (We are most grateful to Gareth Williams for this history of Erddig).

Collections: The great state bed of Erddig was rescued in the 1970s and worked on for 18 months by the conservation staff at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. The V&A owns the bed and have put it on long-term loan to Erddig.

Comments: Erddig is considered one of the most interesting houses in Britain.

Garden & Outbuildings: Erddig is famous for its collection of outbuildings, which include the kitchen, the laundry, the bakehouse, the stables, the sawmill, the smithy, and the joiner's shop. There are authentic demonstrations of the large collection of restored historic machines. Erddig sports one of the last surviving 18th century gardens with a large walled garden and Victorian parterre (the Walled Garden was restored to its 18th century formal design by the National Trust in the late 20th century). Erddig is also home to the National Collection of Ivies, a fine yew walk, and 13 miles of footpaths.

John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. II, p. 159, 1853.

John Preston (J.P.) Neale, published under the title of Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. V, 1829.

Country Life: XXVI, 742 plan, 1909. LXVII, 441 [Furniture] 623 [Furniture], 1930. LXVIII, 206, 234, 1930. CLXIII, 906, 970, 1070, 1978. CLXIV, 1331 [ironwork], 1978.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Grade I

Past Seat / Home of: Joshua Edisbury, 17th century. John Meller, 18th century. Simon Yorke, 19th century; Yorke family here 1733-1973.

Current Ownership Type: The National Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 01978-355-314

Fax: 01978-313-333

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Awards: Britain’s Museum of the Year, 1978. Regional Winner of the NPI National Heritage Award 1999/2000.

Historic Houses Member: No