A late nineteenth century, mildly Gothic, middle class suburban house. Famously the birthplace of T.E. Lawrence (of Arabia), in 1888, it is now a hostel. Lawrence's father was a fallen gentleman with a private income and would presumably have rented the property.

The house was built in the 1870s or 1880s. Comparison of depictions on early OS County series mapping (Caernarvon. XXXIV.12) indicates that it was modified between 1889 and 1901. It is a two storey building of rock-faced stone under a slate gabled roof. The main front has a central doorway in an added timber-framed half glazed porch, with bay windows to either side. The three upper storey windows project above the roof eaves under small cross gables, the centre pointed, the others half-hipped. There is a two storey service range to the rear to which further rooms were added, 1889-1901. The bay windows may be a still later addition.

The early OS mapping shows some details of the grounds and gardens. The grounds were divided into several discrete areas.

The house was called 'Gorffwysfa' in 1889, 1901 and 1979. It was 'Woodlands' in 1918. It is now 'Snowdon Lodge'.

Source: CADW Listed Buildings Database (4437)

John Wiles 03.05.07