Bryn Bras Past & Present

History of the Castle

A building existed here many, many centuries ago and the old road passing near the Castle existed in ancient times as a drovers trail through Llanberis Pass and beyond even as far as England. It is an ancient landscape.

Group at Bryn Bras Castle, 1925 including HRH Edward Prince of Wales, Mr David Lloyd George, Dame Margaret & Lady Megan Lloyd George

The Castle was built in the Neo-Romanesque style on an earlier structure between 1829 and 1835 for Thomas Williams (1795-1874) a cultured Welsh speaking attorney at law, and his wife Lauretta Maria (nee Panton). The design is attributed to the architect Thomas Hopper (1766-1856) who was building Penrhyn Castle, Bangor at the same time. Its style reflects the romantic historicist ideas current at that time.

The additions that have taken place over the centuries have made Bryn Bras Castle into a charmingly rambling and distinctive building; but the general style of the Norman Revival is very much in evidence with its round arched opening, its chevron, billet and cable decoration. A great many embellishments were added in the earlier part of the twentieth century, when much of the stained glass and wooden paneling was fitted.

The architecture of towers and turrets and battlements creates an inspiring and distinctive environment, but this Castle was built for peace, not war - it is a Castle created for the pleasure of living in a stately environment. The story of the people of Bryn Bras span a period of centuries; a tale of life, ambition and wealth; of change, success, and strife. Bryn Bras Castle now stands as a noble and living epitaph to all those people whose efforts and aspirations made its existence possible.

Many distinguished guests, such as Edward Prince of Wales later Edward VIII and Duke of Windsor, and the Prime Minister of the time David Lloyd George, have stayed here, particularly when it was the home of the millionaire Duncan Elliot Alves (1870-1947). The Castle has been used for television films, documentaries and features plus being mentioned in numerous articles in newspapers, magazines and books.

Bryn Bras Castle Today

Today, the building and the extensive gardens of Bryn Bras Castle – one of Wales’ great Regency Castles – have an enchanting comfortable and gracious atmosphere. The Castle is officially Listed by CADW as a ‘Building of Special Architectural and Historic Interest – Grade II*’ making it one of the top 9% of Listed Buildings in Wales. The letting of the exclusive Apartments assists in the preservation and conservation of this Historic House and Garden - a part of Wales’ great, and fragile, heritage. In the face of relentless modern development we are, all of us, only trustees for those that come after us, and together we really can save the past for the future.

We wish people to enjoy this country’s fine inheritance of historic buildings. Such buildings are irreplaceable, cherished, diverse, beautiful and we are grateful to our guests for playing a vital part in helping to protect and preserve part of Wales’ precious heritage.