The House from "Morris's County Seats," circa 1880.
An 1829 engraving of the House from "Neale's Views of Seats"
An 1891 photo of the House from a stereoscope card
Prime Minister William Gladstone from an 1870s photograph
Earlier Houses: An earlier house, the 16th century Broadlane Hall, was rebuilt into the core of the current house by Sir John Glynne in the 18th century.
House & Family History: Hawarden was the seat of the famous 19th century four-time prime minister William Gladstone (and is still home to his descendants today). It was to Flintshire that rail excursions were organized to see Gladstone famously chopping wood at Hawarden. One of the legacies of William Gladstone is the Gladstone bag, a small, stiff leather portmanteau suitcase built over a rigid frame that the prime minister was frequently seen carrying, and which he made famous. The bag separates into two equal sections, and, unlike a suitcase, a Gladstone bag is deeper in proportion to its length.
Garden & Outbuildings: In addition to the ruins of the medieval Hawarden Castle, the grounds are also home to the Hawarden Park Cricket Club, established here in 1866 and frequently cited as one of the most attractive cricket grounds in Great Britain.
Architect: Edward Blore
Date: 1830Architect: Thomas Cundy, Sr.
Date: 1809-10Architect: John Turner
Date: 1750-55John 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. I, p. 66, 1852.
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: CXLI, 1516, 1608, 1676, 1967.
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - HARDBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 2008
Reference: pg. 1061
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 9780300125085
Book Type: Hardback
Title: Gardens of England and Wales Open for Charity, 2003 (The Yellow Book)
Author: NA
Year Published: 2003
Reference: pg. 451
Publisher: Surrey: The National Gardens Scheme Charitable Trust
ISBN: 0900558369
Book Type: Softback
House Listed: Grade I
Park Listed: Grade I
Current Seat / Home of: Charles and Caroline Gladstone; here since 2009.
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: Ravenscroft family, 16th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Sir John Glynne, 6th Bt., 18th century; Sir Stephen Richard Glynne, 8th Bt., until 1815; Glynne family here 1654-1874. William Ewart Gladstone, 1874-98 (Gladstone's wife was a Glynne, through whom he acquired Hawarden); Sir William Gladstone, 7th Bt., 1968-2009.
Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home
Ownership Details: Access to the grounds is through the Hawarden Park Cricket Club.
House Open to Public: Limited Access to Grounds Only
Website: http://hawardenpark.play-cricket.com
Historic Houses Member: No