Earlier Houses: The current House was built on the site of a manor house (possibly a monastery) that dated to the reign of Charles I.
Built / Designed For: Sandbach family
House & Family History: Hafodunos is a Venetian-inspired Gothic style house built in soft red brick with diaper work and extensive stone dressings to windows and doors. It was commissioned by the Sandbach family and designed by architect Sir George Gilbert Scott in the 1860s (Hafodunos is considered Scott's most important domestic architecture in Wales). The House was built on the site of a manor house (possibly a monastery) which dated to the reign of Charles I. Hafodunos was later used as a boarding school and an accounting college, but fell into decline after 1993, when it ceased to be a care home (it was last used as a domestic residence in the 1930s). Plans to turn the House into a hotel with 70 holiday lodges and restore its 15 acres of gardens were unveiled in April 2004 by developers SFJ Ltd.; however, the uninsured House was severely damaged by fire on October 14, 2004. Two men were later charged with arson and jailed for three years for arson (acting out of "youthful bravado," not realizing Hafodunos was so architecturally and historically important). "Hafodunos Hall, Llangernyw - Triumph of the Martyr," a book written and published by Mark Baker in 2005 details the history of the House. In April 2008 Hafodunos was listed for sale for £800,000.
Comments: Hafodunos was considered to be one of North Wales's finest houses.
Garden & Outbuildings: The grounds cover 45 acres and were designed by Kew Gardens director William Hooker. They contain a four-acre walled garden, greenhouses, keeper's cottage, entrance lodge, and an orchard.
House Listed: Grade I
Park Listed: Not Listed
Past Seat / Home of: Sandbach family.
Current Ownership Type: Unknown
Primary Current Ownership Use: Unoccupied