The Tower, Nercwys

This tower is interesting as it is one of the last castellated houses in Wales. The main section was probably built around the 1450s, but the crenulations are Victorian. It has been romanticised at least a couple of times since it was built, and it ‘reads’ better now as an eighteenth / nineteenth century building. So the arrow-slit windows, the gargoyles, the crenulations etc, are all just fantasy! Whilst the architectural details are mostly decorative additions the core walls are all old, and very old. And six foot thick!

Inside the panelling in the hall is Jacobean in style, but Victorian in date. The barrelled ceiling is original – it would have been very difficult for the Victorians to have changed that. Stain-glass windows display the family coat of arms and the motto “Heb Dduw, heb ddim”, (“Without God you have nothing”) is carved into the fireplace.

Apparently Robert Bryne, linen draper and ex mayor of Chester, was murdered here by the owner Rheinallt Gruffydd ap Bleddyn. There is a hook in the main hall that they say is where he hung…but this probably isn’t true. Nice story though.