Throughout my trips spent tracking down abandoned buildings
around Wales, I seem to have been drawn to the larger, grander buildings, but I
must not forget the beauty of smaller buildings that lie in a similar state of
dereliction; equally deserving to be rescued from their current state of neglect.
I have chosen two buildings at the opposite end of
Wales. They are built in different
styles, but both of which had the same original use; these are two of the
crumbling gate houses of Wales.
Standing in the
grounds of the now demolished Dunraven Castle in Glamorgan is a beautiful crenellated
gate house. It is situated a stone's throw from the coast up a rough farm
track. The castle-like design bears no
resemblance to the actual castle that once stood at the centre of the Dunraven
estate. Despite this building having
been out of use for many years the fabric of the building looks to be in surprisingly
good shape. It still retains all its
crenellations, and, surprisingly, the roof is largely in situ. Unlike so many building that have been out of
use for a while this structure is free of saplings growing in gaps in its masonry,
and this is a pleasure to see. Sadly the inside is in a rather more dilapidated
state with rotten beams and stones lying scattered about the floor. The absence of doors means that this building,
intended for human habitation is now open and housing any wildlife that wanders in.
In contrast to this is the gate house at Baron hill on
Anglesey. A fine neo-Palladian building built in the same style of the mansion
it once served. The gate house now is covered with ivy. The roof is long gone and
so too are the ornate iron gates that once stood beside it. There is evidence
that at some point an attempt has been made to keep the elements out of the
building by placing corrugated sheeting over the roof. Alas this seems to have
been in vain. The inside walls are in a desperate state as saplings push their
way through the gaps in the stone work. The building is surrounded by a jungle
of vegetation and fallen trees. What a
sad state this building is in.
Here we have two small buildings crying out for attention,
both of which would make a great place for someone to live in, or as very
popular holiday rentals. If only their owners would place them on the open
market I'm sure they would be snapped up at once!
-piece written by Tim James
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