Llanrwst
OS Grid Ref:-SH 7961
The Welsh market town of Llanrwst, which derives its name from the seventeenth century St. Grwst, lies on the River Conwy between steeply rising hills. The highly picturesque arched bridge, known as Pont Fawr, which spans the River Conwy is reputed to have been built by the famous Inigo Jones and dates from 1636. It was commisioned by the Wynn family, owners of Gwydir Castle, which stands on the opposite side of the river.
The downstream view from Pont Fawr Bridge
Ty Hwnt i'r Bont and Pont Fawr bridge
The creeper covered cottage next to the bridge, called Ty Hwnt i'r Bont , dates from the fifteenth century and was once the local courthouse. Now owned by the National Trust, it operates as a tea room and shop.
Ty Hwnt i'r Bont
Gwydir Castle, on the opposite bank of the river is a Tudor Courtyard House, being built in 1500 it boasts ten acres of gardens. The towns historic almshouses date from 1610 and were built by John Wynn of Gwydir to house the poor of the parish.
Llanrwst Almshouses, dating from 1610
The Almshouses from the Churchyard
Llanrwst Church
Llanrwst Church is an interesting building, its elaborate rood screen is intricately and painstakingly carved.
The church interior
The Gwydir Chapel, also said to have been designed by Inigo Jones, was commisioned in 1636 by Sir Richard Wynn, son of John. Sir Richard was treasurer to Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of the ill fated Charles I.
The stone coffin of Llywelyn ab Iorwerth at Llanrwst Chapel
The chapel has some fine wood panelling and a stone coffin said to have been that of the great Welsh hero, Llywelyn ab Iorwerth, (Llywelyn the Great) who died in 1240 and was interred at Aberconwy Abbey, which he himself had founded in 1184. The sarcophogus was taken from the Abbey at the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the reign of Henry VIII and came to rest at Gwydir Chapel.