Inside 'hidden' Welsh house that really should be famous

Inside 'hidden' Welsh house that really should be famous
The National Trust property is a 16th century farmhouse nestled in the Wybrnant valley near the village of Penmachno, Conwy
Exterior of Ty Mawr Wybrnant, Conwy, Wales. The farmhouse was the birthplace of Bishop William Morgan, the first person to translate the whole Bible into Welsh, thus ensuring the survival of the language
(Image: National Trust Images/Paul Harris )
Wales boasts a wealth of celebrated castles and grand estates that are renowned both locally and internationally. However, there exists a somewhat "hidden gem" with substantial historical significance, particularly in the preservation of Welsh language and culture.
In an effort to attract more visitors for holidays or day trips, Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant has undergone a "transformational" refurbishment. Nestled in the Wybrnant valley near Penmachno in Conwy, this 16th-century farmhouse marks the birthplace of Bishop William Morgan.
Morgan is notably credited with translating the Bible into Welsh, employing rich and lucid language. His work – Y Beibl Cyssegr-lan, published in 1588 – stands as one of the pivotal milestones in Welsh history, continually inspiring individuals, movements, and communities throughout Wales, and becoming a bastion for Welsh identity and the perseverance of the Welsh language in speech, print, and digital realms. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here
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The National Trust, which oversees the property, has implemented improvements centred on enhancing access and the interpretive experience, thereby deepening visitor engagement with Tŷ Mawr's esteemed Bible collection. Alongside these visitor-focused developments, the project also addressed critical maintenance issues by rectifying water ingress problems affecting the farmhouse.
The exhibition room, now known as Y Llyfrgell (The Library), situated next to the main farmhouse, has undergone a complete transformation to provide visitors with an immersive experience. A stunning walk-in pod, inspired by the depiction of Saint Jerome (the translator of the Latin Vulgate Bible) in his study, has been crafted to honour William Morgan's Welsh translation of the Bible, reports North Wales Live.
This distinctive space, essentially a room within a room, encapsulates the act of reading and will house the property's expanding collection of donated Bibles in various languages, which visitors can engage with.
A modern interpretation of the Gothic lettering found in the 1588 Welsh Bible has been specially designed to provide a lively rendition of selected verses, now etched onto furniture and features within Y Llyfrgell. These are enhanced by other charming details such as glass ornamentation, calligraphic shelf marks, guides in contemporary medieval binding, and panel materials inspired by the surrounding Welsh landscape.
Ty Mawr, New Walk-in Pod based on Saint Jerome in his study from a painting by Antonella da Messina
(Image: National Trust Images/Paul Harris )
New interpretive material has also been developed within this space, with contributions from experts in the field, enabling visitors to learn about the story of Tŷ Mawr and William Morgan within a wider historical context before exploring the rest of the property.
Within the farmhouse itself, an original copy of the 1588 Welsh Bible is now housed at Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant. The Bible is showcased in a newly installed museum-grade display case on the ground floor, allowing all visitors to view this historical artefact.
Similar high-quality display cases have been fitted on the first floor, set to house a variety of other Bibles from the collection. The current selections are complemented by imaginative descriptions, courtesy of creative research workshops conducted with students from Dyffryn Conwy secondary school, under the guidance of Professor Angharad Price from Bangor University.
Ty Mawr, New Oak staircase in the Farmhouse
(Image: National Trust Images/Paul Harris )
Each student selected a Bible, explored its unique character using their five senses, and then envisioned the journey that their chosen Bible had undertaken to arrive at Tŷ Mawr. They also speculated about who might have wished to donate their Bible and why.
The previously steep, ladder-like staircase leading to the first floor, which was installed during the 1988 reinterpretation, has been replaced with a more traditional gradient staircase, complete with a banister for safer navigation. The sole plate timber across the door threshold into the main room has also been removed. This modern addition will enhance accessibility within the building.
Research conducted by author and researcher Hedd ap Emlyn, alongside Cambridge PhD student Ryan Comins, has shed light on the importance of Tŷ Mawr's Bible collection. Their work has offered valuable insights into how the collection, as well as William Morgan's efforts, fit into the broader narrative of Bible translations.
The research has helped to contextualise the stories behind the donations and identified key gaps in the Bible collection. Part of the investment has also been directed towards preventing long-term water damage to the southern gable end of the farmhouse. This issue has been a persistent concern at the property, with studies suggesting that this wall was not originally designed to be an external wall.
Ty Mawr, New Exhibition Display for 1588 Bible in the Farmhouse
(Image: National Trust Images/Paul Harris )
An image from the 1880s shows a lean-to sheltering the gable end from the elements. Surveys have also uncovered multiple hairline cracks in the stonework and failed pointing.
A temporary scaffold shelter has been erected to shield the gable, allowing it to dry before applying a lime aggregate mix. This will serve as the base for subsequent limewash coats.
It is anticipated that this will significantly reduce water ingress at the gable end and help protect the centuries-old oak lintel, a period feature, over the fireplace on that side of the house. This work is set to be completed shortly with the internal walls having already been freshly limewashed.
Trystan Edwards, Eryri General Manager with National Trust Cymru, expressed his enthusiasm for the recent enhancements at Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant, stating: "The improvements at Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant are truly transformational, enhancing the visitor experience and bringing the history of William Morgan's masterpiece to life in new and exciting ways. The project marks a new chapter in the history of Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant, ensuring that its legacy continues to inspire future generations."
He continued by expressing gratitude to those who supported the project: "We are immensely grateful to the Wolfson Foundation, Vronhaul Llandinam Charity and the Gaynor Cemlyn-Jones Trust for helping us to fund this wonderful project and to make these exciting improvements possible."
Edwards also acknowledged the contributions of various professionals and local contractors: "We'd also like to extend our thanks to vPPR architects, RM Jones Joinery, Glasshaus Displays, Twelve, Dewis Architecture and all the local contractors involved in delivering various aspects of the project."
Ty Mawr, new exhibition display for 1588 Bible in the Farmhouse
(Image: National Trust Images/Paul Harris )
In conclusion, he showed appreciation for the dedication of the National Trust team: "Lastly, my full appreciation of the hard work that staff and volunteers of the National Trust, indeed everyone that has been part of this project, have shown to make all of this possible."
Tatiana von Preussen, of vPPR Architects, expressed her delight at being commissioned by the National Trust to design a series of oak display objects for a unique Bible collection. She said: "We are delighted to have been commissioned by the National Trust to design a family of oak display objects that enable the exhibition and handling of this very special Bible collection. We were inspired by Antonello da Messina's famous painting of Saint Jerome in his Study, where he was depicted translating the Bible into Latin. We then transported this idea to Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant to celebrate Bishop Willam Morgan's translation of the Bible into Welsh."
She further explained how they recreated the famous painting to form a sealed, humidity-controlled study, which doubles as a display case when closed. She said: "We have recreated the famous painting to form a sealed, humidity controlled study, where the collection of Bibles can be handled but becomes a display case when the study is closed. The simple arched geometry in plain oak is carried through to the other objects: a comfortable chair, also recreated from the painting, a large oak refectory table and benches in the library outside the pod and a set of museum quality display cases in the farmhouse."
She also acknowledged the contributions of graphic designers, Twelve, who provided verses from the 1588 Bible in the same printed gothic typeface, etched into the pod and furniture. She added: "Graphic designers, Twelve, provided verses from the 1588 Bible in the same printed gothic typeface, which have been etched into the pod and furniture. Welsh joiner, RM Jones meticulously crafted the pod and furniture, while Glasshaus fabricated the museum-grade vitrines with oak stands to match."
Meredydd Jones from R. M Jones Joinery, expressed his satisfaction by saying: "We are pleased to have been involved in the redevelopment of various elements of the project at Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant. This includes the creation of a new library, manufacture of bespoke furniture, various alteration works and the installation of a new staircase at the farmhouse."
The rejuvenation efforts at Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant have been bolstered by significant funding, including a considerable investment of £294,500. This financial boost was made possible by nearly £150,000 in grants from the Wolfson Foundation, contributions from Welsh charitable trusts Vronhaul Llandinam Charity and Gaynor Cemlyn-Jones Trust, alongside substantial support from National Trust Cymru.
Since being entrusted to the National Trust in 1951, the property has seen extensive care, particularly during the 1980s when the farmhouse was meticulously restored to its original Tudor style from William Morgan's time. It was then reopened in 1988 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the translation, with the latest investments marking the beginning of a new era for Tŷ Mawr.
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Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant invites visitors for the 2025 season between 10am and 4pm on Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesdays until the end of September. On every first Sunday of the month throughout the season the site hosts a special event - check the website for details.
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