TALHENBONT HALL ESTATE 

Talhenbont Hall was built in 1607 and was used as a garrison for Cromwell’s army. Talhenbont was originally named Plas Hen until the beginning of the last century and was owned by Einion ap Gruffydd, third son of Howel lap Madog. The estate belonged to Howel’s son Robert in the 16th century and was centred around the small town of Betws.

It then passed into the Vaughan family, who built the Hall itself – the initials “WV” and the date of 1607 are still clearly visible over the side of the house, which was once the main entrance.

In 1642, the owner William Lloyd was arrested as a Royalist sympathiser as Cromwell’s men took over the hall. The Civil War years saw the ownership of the Hall change from Lloyd, High Sheriff in 1647 to the army and back again until eventually it was sold and became tenanted.

In 1758 Talhenbont was the largest single owned piece of land in the district of Eifionydd.

The estate changed hands many times in the 18th century and was occupied by Sir Thomas Mostyn, the sixth baronet from 1796. In 1817 John Maughan, who was a tree expert, was brought down from Northumberland and was responsible for planting many of the thousands of trees that form the ancient woodland.

In 1884 the estate was split into sections to pay off debts that had crept up during the preceding Napoleonic Wars.

The estate today stands in 75 acres which has been the present owners home for some30 years. The five restored cottages have also provided a unique location for discerning holidaymakers. The property retains many fine period features yet now benefits from an extensive and sympathetic restoration.