Plas Rhianfa, Grade II* listed building in Cwm Cadnant, United Kingdom
Plas Rhianfa is a Victorian country house on the banks of the Menai Strait, featuring distinctive round towers with conical roofs. An upper-level gallery connects the different sections, creating a distinctive profile when viewed from the water.
Construction of this country house was completed in 1850 following designs by Liverpool architect Charles Verelst, who drew inspiration from Loire Valley sketches. The design reflected the Victorian fashion for adapting French architectural styles to the Welsh landscape.
The entrance displays intricate ironwork and bears an inscription from Psalm 90, showing how religious faith was woven into Victorian design. Such details reflect the builder's values and their desire to express them through the home's physical form.
The house sits on a waterfront setting with views across the strait and surrounding hills, offering direct access to the landscape. The structure spreads across multiple levels, and visitors can explore the terraced gardens throughout the grounds.
The seaside garden grows Mediterranean plants like palms, cordylines, and myrtle that seem unexpected in this region. The sheltered waterside location creates a warm microclimate that allows these warm-weather plants to thrive.
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