Hillcroft (originally Llys Hywel) was designed by the outstanding Arts and Crafts architect Herbert Luck North (1871-1941), who lived and worked in Llanfairfechan from c.1901. It is one of a group of seven houses (Nos. 8-13 & 16) built c.1925 on land belonging to the North family and forming The Close. Each house was designed for a particular client, Llys Hywel for J. D. Lloyd. They are all fairly similar in plan and appearance, with typical North features: roughcast walls, cottage-casement (metal) windows, steep gables (mostly in pairs but Maes Aled has just one) and slated roofs covered with graded multicoloured slates from the Gallt-y-llan quarry near Nantperis. The internal arrangement is a favourite Arts and Crafts plan, with living rooms in a line facing the sun and garden, and the entrance, hall, staircase, passage etc. at the rear. All houses have a covered veranda at the front, some incorporating a delightful octagonal bay in the corner of the living room.

Adam Voelcker, 23 November 2009.