Plas Newydd, Llangollen facts for kids
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Plas Newydd (which means "new hall" or "new mansion" in Welsh) is a historic house. It is located in the town of Llangollen, Denbighshire, Wales. For almost 50 years, it was the home of two famous Irish ladies. They were Lady Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby, known as the Ladies of Llangollen. Today, Denbighshire County Council runs Plas Newydd as a museum.
The History of Plas Newydd
Plas Newydd is well-known because of Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby. In the late 1700s, these two friends decided to live together. They moved into a small stone cottage in Llangollen. This was quite an unusual choice for their time.
At first, some people did not understand their lifestyle. But over time, the ladies and their home became very popular. Many famous people visited them at Plas Newydd. These visitors included writers like Robert Southey and William Wordsworth. Even important figures like the Duke of Wellington came to see them.
The ladies also worked hard on the gardens. They added many interesting Gothic-style features. You can still see things like a "ruined" archway and rustic bridges. They even had a temple with a special stone font from a nearby old abbey. They grew exotic fruits in beautiful greenhouses. They also put up poetic signs on the trees.
After the ladies passed away in the early 1800s, the house changed owners. General John Yorke added the black and white designs on the outside. He also filled the inside with many unique items from around the world. In 1932, the local council bought the house. Now, it is a museum for everyone to enjoy.
What Makes Plas Newydd Special?
The original small cottage was made much larger by the ladies. Later owners in the 1800s also added more parts. Today, the house looks mostly like it did when the ladies lived there.
One of the most unique things about Plas Newydd is its outside. The ladies collected many pieces of old oak carvings. These came from broken furniture or old church fittings. They used these carvings to cover much of the house's exterior. It looks like a beautiful patchwork design. The carvings are from different time periods. Many show simple folk art or older styles. The ladies also added a lot of beautiful stained glass to the house.
Pictures of Plas Newydd
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A photograph from around 1875.
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Another view from around 1875.
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The entrance porch of the house.
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The front of Plas Newydd.
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The tower at Plas Newydd.
