Mostyn Hall, a house with origins in the sixteenth century (nprn 36033), is situated on a north-east-facing hillside above the Dee estuary. It is notable for the historical interest of its fine early nineteenth-century layout of parkland with its numerous drives and lodges, and its long and winding Marine Walk with its spectacular views over the Dee estuary. Landscaping took place in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

The park surrounds the house on all sides and once extended to the shoreline. It falls into two distinct areas: the deer park north and west of the house and the park to the south. The land to the east of the hall, now largely scrub and forestry, is the site of old mine workings, while the land to the south is pasture.

To the west, parkland slopes down towards the Dee estuary. In 1742 this was the only area of open land which then extended further south. A large dingle runs north-south through the centre of it. This area of the park is bounded on its south side by the Marine Walk, an extensive serpentine ha-ha, on the boundary between park and garden, topped by a walk and passing north of the house. Towards the west boundary is a block of six stone-walled stallion paddocks. The north boundary is a wall alongside the A548 coast road. The whole area is enclosed by nineteenth-century perimeter belts of mixed woodland. Additional planting comprises a few scattered oaks and a depleted beech avenue on the west boundary. The park to the east of the house is bounded by a wooded dingle.

The other parkland area is situated to the south on higher ground with views of the Dee Estuary but with much broader prospects. In the eighteenth century part of this area was known as Park Newydd (later Upper Park), probably an extension associated with the former estate of Bychton, the seat of the neighbouring Pennants (86621). It borders on Whitford Wood, now included in this area of the park. Early planting is now much depleted and extensive replanting is taking place.

A drive enters from the south in Whitford at Pennsylvania Lodge, before entering the wood at Top-y-coed Lodge and finally entering the demesne via Dry Bridge lodge (409612), a castellated 'folly' lodge which bridges the public road, the carriage drive passing through the lodge. Prior to this a drive from a nearby lodge approached the hall to the north. The original main drive, not now in use, runs south-eastwards from the house to the village of Rhewl Mostyn. It is lined with an avenue of ancient limes, already 'venerable' in 1796 (Pennant). The present-day main entrance, dating from the early nineteenth century, runs north from Top Lodge on the Rhewl-Tre-Mostyn road (36032) to Porth-Mawr, near the house.

Another drive ran south from Seaview Lodge and entrance near Mostyn Quay, and another to the east to Penlan Lodge at Mostyn. An avenue shown on an early map, on the extreme west of the Deer Park, was also used in the early nineteenth century as an entrance from the west.

Gardens, including a walled garden, lie around the house (86624; 700087).

Source:
Cadw 1995: Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales, Clwyd, 172-5 (ref: PGW(C)14(FL)).

RCAHMW, 12 April 2022

Site Record

Mostyn Hall Park, Mostyn