DiCamillo Companion
Wales

Hawarden Castle (Hawarden Park) (Howarden Castle) (Broadlane Hall)

  • 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: George Shaw

    Date: Circa 1865
    Designed: Additions

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    Architect: Edward Blore

    Date: 1830
    Designed: Gothic porch
    (Attribution of this work is uncertain)
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    Architect: Douglas & Fordham

    Date: 1889
    Designed: Additions and alterations

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    Architect: Thomas Cundy, Sr.

    Date: 1809-10
    Designed: Rebuilt House in Gothick baronial style for Sir Stephen Richard Glynne, 8th Bt.

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    Architect: John Turner

    Date: 1750-55
    Designed: Rebuilt House for Sir John Glynne, 6th Bt.
    (Attribution of this work is uncertain)
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  • 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. 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

  • "A History of Britain" (2000 - TV documentary series). "Gladstone and Disraeli: Clash of the Titans" (2009 - BBC TV documentary).
  • 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

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