The 'hidden' historic Welsh home that really should be more famous

North Wales Live

15 hours ago

Wales is full of famous castles and mansion estates that are known across the country and the globe. But one historic site - that played a key role in securing the Welsh language and culture - is something of a "hidden gem".
It has recently undergone a "transformational" change in a move that it is hoped will encourage more people to add it to their holiday or day trip itineraries. Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant is a 16th century farmhouse nestled in the Wybrnant valley near the village of Penmachno, Conwy.
It the birthplace of Bishop William Morgan who translated the Bible into Welsh using rich, clear language. The publication of Y Beibl Cyssegr-lan in 1588 was one of the most important events in Welsh history and continues to inspire people, movements, and communities across Wales - remaining a powerful symbol of Welsh identity and the survival of the Welsh language, in speech, in print and online.
The new project at the site by owners the National Trust has focused on improving access and interpretation, helping visitors gain a better understanding of Tŷ Mawr's Bible collection. They also carried out essential maintenance work to tackle water ingress in the farmhouse.
The exhibition room, now called Y Llyfrgell (The Library) which is adjacent to the main farmhouse, has been completely transformed to offer a fully immersive experience for visitors. A beautiful walk-in pod, inspired by the painting of Saint Jerome (the translator of the Latin Vulgate Bible) in his study, has been created as a celebration of William Morgan's Welsh translation of the Bible.
This unique space, a room within a room, frames the act of reading and will house the property's growing collection of donated Bibles in various languages and which people can interact with.
A contemporary interpretation of the Gothic lettering found in the 1588 Welsh Bible has been specially created to give a spirited rendering of selected verses, now engraved onto furniture and elements within Y Llyfrgell.
These are complemented by other characterful details such as the glass ornamentation, calligraphic shelf marks, guides in modern mediaeval binding, and panel materials inspired by the surrounding Welsh landscape.
New interpretation has also been created within this space, with input from experts in the field so that visitors can learn about the story of Tŷ Mawr and William Morgan within a broader historical context before exploring the rest of the property.
Inside the farmhouse itself, there is now an original copy of the 1588 Welsh Bible to Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant. The Bible is displayed within a brand-new bespoke museum grade display case on the ground floor, giving everyone the opportunity to view this historical item.
Similar museum grade display cases have also been installed on the first floor, which will host a selection of other Bibles in the collection. The current selections are accompanied by imaginative texts thanks to creative research workshops with pupils from Dyffryn Conwy secondary school, led by Bangor University's Professor Angharad Price. Each pupil chose a Bible, responding to it with their five senses and defining its unique character before imagining the journey that their chosen Bible had been on to reach Tŷ Mawr, as well as who may have wanted to donate their Bible and why.
The previous steep ladder-like staircase up to the first floor, added during the 1988 re-interpretation, has been replaced by a more conventional gradient staircase with a banister added for safer navigation. The sole plate timber across the door threshold into the main room has also been removed, again a modern addition, which will improve accessibility in the building.
Research into the significance of Tŷ Mawr's Bible collection, undertaken by author and researcher Hedd ap Emlyn and Cambridge PhD student Ryan Comins, has provided valuable insights into how the collection, as well as William Morgan's undertaking, fits into the wider story of Bible translations as a phenomenon. The research has helped to contextualise the stories behind the donations and has also identified where there are key gaps in the collection of Bibles. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
Part of the investment has also focused on preventing long-term water damage to the southern gable end of the farmhouse. This has been a long-standing concern at the property, with research suggesting that this wall was not intended to be an external wall, with an image from the 1880s showing a lean-to protecting the gable end from the elements. Surveys have also revealed multiple hairline cracks in the stonework and failed pointing.
A shrouded scaffold shelter has been erected temporarily to protect the gable, allowing it to dry before applying a lime aggregate mix, which will form the base for subsequent limewash coats. It's expected that this will significantly reduce the amount of water ingress at the gable end and help to protect the centuries-old oak lintel, a period feature, over the fireplace on that side of the house. This work is scheduled to be completed soon. The internal walls have already been freshly limewashed.
Trystan Edwards, Eryri General Manager with National Trust Cymru, said: '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.
"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.
'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.
'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 from vPPR Architects, 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.
'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.
'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, said: '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 project was made possible thanks to a substantial £294,500 investment, which included a grant of nearly £150,000 from the Wolfson Foundation, contributions from Welsh charitable trusts Vronhaul Llandinam Charity and Gaynor Cemlyn-Jones Trust, and significant funding from National Trust Cymru.
The property came into the care of the National Trust in 1951. During the 1980s, the farmhouse was meticulously restored to reflect the original Tudor style from William Morgan's era and was officially reopened to visitors in 1988 to mark 400 years since the translation. This recent investment sees Tŷ Mawr enter a new chapter in its rich history.