Parc Howard Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Parc Howard |
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Bryn-y-caerau
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| General information | |
| Status | Open, museum and civic park |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Town or city | Llanelli |
| Country | Wales |
| Coordinates | 51°41′22″N 4°09′36″W / 51.6894°N 4.1600°W |
| Construction started | 1882 |
| Opened | 1886 |
| Renovated | 1912 |
| Client | John Buckley |
| Owner | Carmarthenshire County Council |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | James Buckley-Wilson |
| Other information | |
| Parking | Restricted and by prior arrangement |
Parc Howard Museum & Art Gallery is a museum located in a large house built in the 1800s. This house is designed in a special Italian style. It sits within 24 acres of beautiful parkland, just north of the town of Llanelli in Carmarthenshire, Wales. The park is so special that it's officially listed on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.
Contents
History of Parc Howard
Early Days of Bryn-y-caerau
The land where Parc Howard stands today was once home to a much older property called Bryn-y-caerau. In 1559, a lawyer named Alban Stepney married into the family of Richard Davies, who was the Bishop of St David's.
Alban Stepney became an important person in the church. He and his family, the Stepney family, grew their land and influence in Wales over many years.
From Private Home to Public Park
By the early 1800s, a local businessman named Mr. R. T. Howell bought part of the Stepney estate near Llanelli. After he passed away in 1853, the property went to James Buckley Wilson. He was an architect and didn't need such a big house.
So, James Buckley Wilson leased the property to his cousin, James Buckley, for 99 years. James Buckley wanted a grander home. In 1882, he asked his cousin to rebuild the house.
The new house, finished in 1886, looked like a mock-castle built from special Bath stone. It was called Brynycaerau Castle.
Design and Features of the Castle
James Buckley-Wilson changed the house's main entrance to face southeast. This way, it overlooked the gardens, the countryside, and even the River Loughor estuary and the sea.
He added a large carriage porch with three arches for visitors arriving by horse and carriage. The house was designed to look balanced and grand, with strong corner stones and different window shapes.
The roof was low and flat, hidden behind decorative walls, making it look even more like a castle. There was also a tall tower at the back. The gardens included a kitchen garden, a long covered walkway (pergola), and an orchard. There were also glasshouses, stables, and a coachhouse.
Becoming a Public Treasure
In 1911, after James Buckley and James Buckley-Wilson had both passed away, the Llanelli Urban Council wanted to buy Parc Howard. They planned to turn it into a public park and museum. However, the house needed a lot of repairs, and the council didn't have enough money for both the purchase and the renovations.
Then, a kind offer came from Katherine Meriel Cowell-Stepney and her husband, Sir Stafford Howard. Katherine had inherited the Stepney estate. In January 1912, they offered to pay the full £7,750 to buy the property.
In February 1912, they agreed to a very long lease (999 years) with some important conditions:
- The park had to be designed by a skilled gardener for everyone to enjoy.
- The house had to become a local museum or be used for public benefit.
- Everything had to be kept in good condition.
- No alcohol could be sold on the property.
- The rent would be £5 per year, and the park had to open by September 21, 1912.
These conditions helped make sure the project moved quickly. The park opened on September 21, 1912, exactly one year after Lady Howard's wedding anniversary. It included a bandstand and tennis courts.
Expansion and Wartime Use
In the 1930s, the council bought an extra 5 acres of land, expanding the park to its current size. A new entrance was made from Felin Foel Road.
During both World War I and World War II, Parc Howard was used as a hospital for injured soldiers. In 1915, the mansion became a hospital with 40 beds and 18 Red Cross nurses. It stayed a hospital until 1921, helping soldiers recover.
In 1965, Llanelli Borough Council bought the house and 32 acres of land from the Stepney estate for £350,000.
Parc Howard Today
Today, Carmarthenshire County Council manages Parc Howard, which is located on Felinfoel Road (A476). In front of the house is a grassy area, and to the northeast, there's a large lawn covering over 5 acres.
The park features a pond, a sunken garden, bowling greens, and tennis courts. There's also a children's play area. On the western side, you can find a Gorsedd Circle. This is where druids celebrate the Gorsedd ceremony during the National Eisteddfod, a big Welsh festival. Llanelli hosted this festival in 1962. The park is still listed as a Grade II historic park.
Museum Collections
Parc Howard Museum and Art Gallery is famous for its large collection of Llanelly Pottery. This pottery was made locally between 1839 and 1920. Lady Howard generously donated this collection in 1933.
The museum also displays many paintings, portraits, and other artworks. You can also see items that tell the story of the local area, its history, and its culture.
