These hauntingly beautiful North Wales mansions hosted the privileged families of former generations in their heyday. But fate has ravaged them and all too often many seem like crumbling husks.

Signs of neglect can be clearly seen on some, with overgrowth and rust evident. Others have been left to go to rack and ruin, with no clear signs of much needed “TLC “forthcoming

For others, there have been interested parties who have come forward with elaborate plans to give them a new lease of life. Here, we’ve taken a closer look at some of the amazing old buildings across the region – some still with unimaginable potential if the right minds were to come together.

Kinmel Hall

The Grade I listed building known as the Welsh Versailles was purchased at auction for £950,000 in May 2021. The property in St George in North Wales was built in 1876 by Hugh Roberts Hughes with profits from a copper mining enterprise on Anglesey. The building itself is said to have been modelled on the Palace of Versailles, hence its nickname as the ‘Welsh Versailles’.

The dilapidated building is in need of significant repair with the necessary renovations likely to cost between £50m and £70m. Prior to the sale of the building last year, a specialist called Peter Hare said: “Kinmel Hall has fallen on its knees and into a state of dereliction.

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“The roof, which is hanging by a thread in some areas, will require a major overhaul. Areas of vandalism and theft to the rear and sides are visible. However, the disgraceful lack of maintenance appears to be the main issue creating the majority of the advanced decay. The remaining slates should be salvageable but roof timbers will need assessing for structural reliability, and ridges, valleys, dormer casings and hips all need major works,” WalesOnline reported.

A plan for camping pods in the grounds were submitted last year to raise money towards the renovation. The plan was put forward by new owner Chris Cryer, whose comnpany Blue Water NW bought the site from a company registered in the British Virgin Islands. A longer term business plan to restore the mansion has also been submitted with the application but is confidential.

Plas Glynllifon

Plas Glynllifon was a grand neo-classical mansion built in the 1830-40s by Lord Newborough. It sits at the heart of a historical estate which exerted a profound influence over the landscapes and communities of Caernarfonshire for centuries.

In 1969, it played host to the Prince of Wales Investiture Ball but the mansion had lain empty for several years after a previous attempt to create a wedding venue failed. However, Paul and Rowena Williams took on the 102-room stately home in 2016 and announced multi-million pound plans to transform the house into a five star hotel.

It was sold at the end of 2020 to a Manchester developer, after going into receivership following a failed plan to turn it into a luxury hotel. Its last listed guide price was for a hefty £2m. The mansion is believed to have been left empty for the past three years.

Denbigh Hospital

Not a mansion, but one of the most remarkable abandoned buildings in Wales, Denbigh Hospital was built between 1846 and 1848 and home to 200 patients in its day. This Grade II-listed North Wales psychiatric hospital closed in 1996, before being ravaged by a number of fires, leaving it teetering on the brink of collapse.

Multi-millionaire Lawrence Kenwright, behind Signature Living Hotel Ltd, had announced he wanted to turn it into two luxury hotels and homes . But the hotel company collapsed with debts of £113 million.

Cornist Hall

Cornist Hall, in Flint, is the birthplace of a navy admiral who served under Lord Nelson but it has sat unoccupied for several years and has become a regular attraction for vandals.

The building was the 18th century family home of Thomas Totty, who served under Nelson on several ships, including HMS Invincible. It was used as a dining and wedding venue until it closed its doors in 2013.

It was previously owned by members of the Summers family, who owned John Summers and Sons Ltd, a prominent iron and steel producer in Shotton. After being taken over by Clwyd Council in 1953, the house was modified for catering purposes. The building was under private ownership from 1987, before being sold to a new owner. As of last year, it remained boarded up after several incidents of vandalism.

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