Bryn Bras Castle facts for kids
Bryn Bras Castle is a beautiful old country house in Gwynedd, Wales. It sits on an old road between the villages of Llanrug and Llanberis, near the town of Caernarfon. People sometimes call this road the Clegir road.
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Building a Dream Castle
Bryn Bras Castle was built a long time ago, between 1829 and 1835. It was designed in a special style called neo-Romanesque. This means it looked like old Roman buildings, with strong, rounded arches and grand towers.
The castle was built for a man named Thomas Williams. He was a lawyer, which means he worked with laws and legal matters. The famous architect Thomas Hopper helped bring his vision to life. The castle was built on the same spot where an older building once stood.
Who Lived at Bryn Bras?
Over the years, many interesting people owned Bryn Bras Castle.
Captain Frank Stewart Barnard
In 1897, a man named Captain Frank Stewart Barnard bought the castle. He was a very important person in the area. From 1903 to 1904, he was the High Sheriff of Caernarvonshire. A High Sheriff is like a top official who helps keep law and order in a county. Captain Barnard lived at the castle until he passed away in 1917. While he lived there, he used the castle's land to raise horses.
Duncan Elliot Alves
Later, the castle was owned by Duncan Elliot Alves. He was a very wealthy man who made his money from oil. He was also an important leader in the community. He served as the Mayor of Caernarvon for six years. He was also the High Sheriff of the county from 1931 to 1932. After Mr. Alves died in 1938, the castle was sold many times. Much of the land around it was also sold off.
A Place for Motorcyclists
Bryn Bras Castle has a unique connection to motorcycles! In 1962, it was the starting point for the very first Dragon Rally. This is a famous event where motorcyclists gather from all over.
Today, the castle is no longer a single family home. It has been changed into several apartments where people live.
A Special Historic Building
In 1968, Bryn Bras Castle was given a special status. It became a Grade II* listed building. This means it is a very important historic building. It was recognized for its beautiful inside areas and for being a great example of romantic, historicist architecture. This style of building tries to bring back the feeling of old castles and grand historical times.
