Cofnod Safle

Grounds and gardens associated with Marl Hall (NPRN 16510). This is a mid seventeenth century mansion that lay largely derelict following a fire in the eighteenth century. It was restored in about 1900 and for much of the twentieth century was a convalescent home. It is now an outdoor education centre.
The wooded crags of Marle Hill rise behind the Hall, which lies on its lower slopes facing south-west across lower ground. The grounds are depicted on the early editions of OS County series (Caernarvon. V.9).
The 1st and 2nd editions (1889 & 1900) show the grounds prior to the Hall's restoration. The Hall opens onto a terrace and there appears to be a second terrace below. It is approached by short drives from the public road. The buildings of Marl Farm lie on the far side of this road. To the north-west a walled (kitchen?) garden is shown planted with orchard trees. Running south from this is a long pond or canal. This is first shown in 1900, but may be a restitution of an earlier feature.
The road running south from the Hall and Farm is known as Marl Drive. Where this meets Conway Road 0.85km away a lodge and gates are depicted in 1889 & 1900 (at SH79577793). These had gone by 1913 and a recreation ground was established on the site of the lodge by 1937.
The later editions of 1913 & 1937 depict the grounds of the convalescent home.

John Wiles 19.06.07










This garden is depicted on the Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25-inch map of Caernarvonshire V, sheet 9 (1900). Its main elements on that map include pond, terrace and woodland. C.H. Nicholas, RCAHMW, 10th August 2006.