Origins and history of Plas yn Rhiw
The history of the estate at Plas yn Rhiw extends back to the Neolithic period, predating the current manor house by approximately 4,000 years. While the site has been inhabited for millennia, the present early 17th-century manor house represents a much later layer of occupation. The house has witnessed a long historical family saga, beginning with the Lewis family, whose lineage was said to descend from Merfyn Frych, the ninth-century King of Powis. This connection to the local history of Gwynedd remained central to the estate for generations.
The lineage of ownership shifted in 1811 when the estate passed to Jane Lewis, who married William Williams. The property remained within the family until 1874, when it was purchased by Thomas Roberts. Following this period, the house underwent a period of decline and was eventually abandoned. This state of disrepair continued until 1939, when the property was acquired by the Keating sisters. These three sisters, originally from Nottingham, undertook the restoration of the house and its gardens, preserving the site for the future.
The building and its architecture
The manor house is a Grade II listed building that reflects several centuries of architectural evolution. While the current structure exhibits a Tudor and Georgian style, it is largely the result of a significant rebuilding in 1820. During this period, the house was refronted, raised, and extended from its original 17th-century form. A window lintel within the house bears an inscription of I.L. dated 1634, providing a physical link to the earlier building. The north kitchen wing was added later, during the mid-19th century, to accommodate the needs of the estate.
The estate's architectural footprint extends beyond the main house. To the north of the road sits Sarn y Plas, a mid-18th century Grade II listed cottage. The manor house itself is situated at the base of Mynydd Rhiw, overlooking the beach of Porth Neigwl. The surrounding grounds include a garden of just under one acre and 150 acres of woodland, including Snowdrop Wood.
Major collections and acquisitions
The current holdings at Plas yn Rhiw are largely defined by the legacy of the Keating sisters. Following their residence in the house, the three sisters donated the property to the National Trust in the 1940s. This gift was made in memory of their parents, Constance and William Keating. The acquisition preserved not only the manor itself but also the domestic environment maintained by the family.
The collection includes various personal effects and household items from the 1930s that belonged to the sisters. These objects consist of furniture, clothing, and china. Such items provide a record of the domestic life within the house during that period. Alongside these material goods, the estate holds a collection of gentle watercolours. These works were painted by Honora, one of the sisters, and record local views of the surrounding landscape.
