On a lovely Friday morning we ventured up the hill from Plas Coch to visit a heritage property called Nant Clwyd Y Dre on Castle Street in Ruthin.
Oh my goodness, this property did not disappoint. Nant Clwyd Y Dre is a stunning black and white timber framed medieval property with links to the Thelwalls.
(The more I read the more I’m thinking that at one point Ruthin appears to have been overrun with Thelwalls! )
On arrival we were greeted by the beaming faces of Toni and Emma who made us very welcome and explained all the gadgets that would help give us a guided tour. They are both very knowledgeable about the property and were interested to hear about Plas Coch.
Nant Clwyd Y Dre had links to the prominent families of the day in Ruthin.
There were information boards relating to the Parry’s, Thelwall’s and the Goodman’s. All these were names that I had heard before in researching Plas Coch.
There was information on where people were buried – which helped point me in the direction of new places to look; Llanelidan Church and Llanbedr too.
The house starts in 1435 and takes you through time to the modern day.
Each room has been dressed to give an insight into what the house could have looked like.
Steeped in history there were bedrooms and beautiful wooden floors with the expected creak here and there adding to the ambience.
Standing in these rooms that are dressed appropriate to past times and looking out over the gardens, it’s easier to envisage how Plas Coch could have looked. Outside there is so much green space.
The gardens are a hidden gem.
Originally a kitchen garden for Ruthin castle, whose towers still loom nearby, today it has been laid out as per Eubule Thelwall’s garden design.
It is called The Lord’s Garden and this, my friends, is a peaceful oasis amid the hustle and bustle of modern day Ruthin.
