Levelling Up Fund: Nantclwyd y Dre

Project background

Nantclwyd y Dre is a Grade 1 listed medieval townhouse of national significance and is one of the oldest dated timber-framed townhouses in Wales. In 2006, a capital project to restore the site was undertaken, which enabled the opening of the main house and gardens to the public. The house’s west wing, however, was left in a safe yet dilapidated state while awaiting further funding.

In 2022, £10,000 of grant funding from the Architectural Heritage Fund’s Transforming Heritage programme was secured by the volunteer group, the Friends of Nantclwyd y Dre. This grant was utilised to fund the cost of preliminary surveys, a feasibility study, and architectural drawings that formed the basis for the Local Regenration Fund (LRF) grant application.

The LRF grant will be utilised to bring into use the final undeveloped spaces on the property – the west wing and a small, two-storey garden structure from the 18th century known as the summerhouse.

Following consultation with key stakeholders, it was decided that the most sustainable approach to developing the west wing was to create holiday accommodation on the upper floor and to improve catering and volunteer facilities in the ground floor spaces. Additionally, the upper floor of the summerhouse will be restored and opened to the public, allowing visitors to enjoy views of the gardens and town.

These developments will facilitate income generation to help sustain both the site and Denbighshire’s Heritage Service. The ground floor catering space will also help to facilitate weddings and larger events, while improved volunteer facilities will support Nantclwyd’s valuable volunteer cohort.

Key points

• This project activity is part of UK Government funding focused on Ruthin’s Unique Heritage and Wellbeing.
• This project will deliver substantial improvements to Nantclwyd y Dre.
• The design contract has been awarded to local consultants TACP Architects.
• The construction contract has been awarded to local builders B&W Builders and Decorators.
• The project is due to be completed by May 2026.

Current position

Construction is currently underway on site.

Gallery

Nantclwyd y Dre’s west wing

Nantclwyd y Dre’s summerhouse

Proposed floor plans – TACP Architects

In-progress construction photos

Frequently Asked Questions

What will be delivered?

The expected deliverables are:

• Small, high quality holiday accommodation on first floor of Nantclwyd y Dre’s currently derelict west wing.
• Improved staff / catering kitchen on ground floor suitable for hosting events.
• Improved volunteer space on ground floor.
• Improved office space on the first floor for staff.
• New historic brewhouse open to the public.
• Grade 2 listed external summerhouse restored and made safe for visitors.

What are the expected benefits?

Primary benefits include:

• Improved heritage asset.
• Heritage asset safeguarded.
• Increased income generation.
• Expansion of offer - additional services and experiences for visitors and residents.
• Increased footfall (to the site and the town) due to expanding offer.
• Long-term increased sustainability / reduced cost of the facility for DCC.
• Improved volunteer facilities.
• Holiday accommodation increases longer term visitors to the town, benefitting local businesses and services.

Will mitigations be made to accommodate Nantclwyd y Dre’s bat population?

Yes, extensive ecological consultations have been undertaken to ensure that the bat population at Nantclwyd y Dre is not disrupted. Factors such as lighting and flight paths have been considered throughout the design and construction phase. In order to compensate for increased visitor use of the west wing, a bat house was added to the garden to provide a valuable resting spot and shelter for bats as they exit their roost. All workers on site have also received appropriate training from Natural Resources Wales.

New bat shelter

How have the design plans changed over the course of the project?

Due to Nantclwyd y Dre’s age and historical significance, changes were made to the original proposed designs as new discoveries were made during the construction phase. These include:

• A previously unknown seventeenth-century brewhouse on the ground floor. This room will now be open to the public with new interpretation.

Brewhouse

• A large amount of apotropaic marks on the first floor. These unique ritualistic marks, including flower-like patterns and tally marks, will be preserved beneath a transparent panel and remain visible for visitors in the holiday let.

Apotropaic marks

Will access to the east wing (main house / museum) of Nantclwyd y Dre still be available during the work on the west wing?

There is no anticipated disruption to visitor access to the main building of Nantclwyd y Dre. During the construction phase, restoration work will be largely contained within the west wing, although there may be some disruption or limited access to the gardens.

What are the next steps?

Once construction is complete, the focus will be on:

• Fitting out and furnishing the holiday let. This work is being undertaken in consultation with TACP Architects.

Example mood board

• Equipping the new catering kitchen and volunteer area.
• Adding new interpretation material to the summerhouse and the brewhouse.