A BRIEF history of Llanerchydol Hall
Llanerchydol has its origins in the name Llanerch Hudol.......meaning ‘Magical’ or ‘Enchanted’ Glade, with a long history linking it to the Princes of Powys, especially Llywelyn ap Gruffudd who restored Llanerchydol and adjacent land to Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn.
A Tudor house was present at the current location of Llanerchydol Hall before it was destroyed by fire in 1776.
David Pugh, a wealthy tea trader bought the site and built the current house. His great grand nephew, also named David Pugh, inherited Llanerchydol Hall and became a local politician. During the 136 years of Pugh ownership, the house underwent many adaptations, including the introduction of the fairy-tale castellations and turrets in the Gothic Revival style (1820).
John Repton may have been engaged to landscape the surrounding parkland and gardens (no firm evidence exists) ; much of this may still be appreciated today. The original gardens included a Japanese Water Garden and parterre.
Llanerchydol Hall is one of three grand houses in the area alongside Powis Castle and Vaenor Park and is Grade II* listed, along with the Repton parkland, which is listed in it's own right.
The majority of the original 2000 acres of the Pugh Estate were sold off over time, culminating, eventually, in the sale of the Hall itself in 1912 to a Liverpool cotton trader, Hugh Verdon. Hugh was particularly tall, and had a special bath constructed to hold him! It is still situated in the house. Hugh's daughters inherited Llanerchydol and the house remained in the Verdon family until 1985, when the last remaining daughter, Angela, died aged 97.
The Hall has been sold a few times since, with the 55 acres of Repton inspired parkland no longer in the same ownership as the Hall. The house, in its current form is situated in approximately 12 acres of stunning countryside, within the protected Grade II* listed parkland.
Llanerchydol Hall, also Grade II* listed, was bought by friends in early 2022, and we are hoping to restore the Hall and Gardens to their former glory.
Our aim is to preserve the hall and provide it with a sustainable future, for future generations to enjoy.
Historical details and images about the Hall may be accessed here: https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/29452/