Plas Newydd

Plas Newydd is a National Trust property on Angelsey with beautiful views across the Menai Straits.

Our visit began with a lovely walk along sone extremely tall trees. Expecting to see the house in front of us we were quite surprised when the land sloped steeply away revealing the house below in its stunning location. 

William Paget in the early 1500s was Secretary of State to King Henry VIII. His main home was at Beaudesert, his title being 1st Baron of Beaudesert; Plas Newydd was a summer retreat.

Upon his death the Staffordshire Estate and Plas Newydd passed to his eldest son Henry William Paget 2nd Earl of Uxbridge. Henry lost his leg fighting at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and was awarded the title Marquess of Anglesey for his bravery.

In 1898 Henry Cyril Paget became the 5th Marquess of Anglesey inheriting an annual income of 18million in today's money. Henry enjoyed a flamboyant lifestyle which included many theatrical events at Plas Newydd. In just a few years he bankrupted the family owing more than 45millon which resulted in the Great Angelsey Sale, a 40 day sale of over 40,000 items from the house.

His first cousin Charles Alexander Henry Paget became the 6th Marquess in 1905. He sold Beaudesert and modernised Plas Newydd. 

Walking around the house today it is as it was in the early 20th century. In some ways this was a little strange as some decoration reminded us of our grandparents times and it's odd to think this is now old, although our grandparents didn't own a big house or have a magnificent canopied bed.

Plas Newydd is well known for it's Rex Whistler mural which is the length of the Dining Room. It's a stunning painting with the sides having an optical illusion of being able to walk through.

Rex Whistler was a good friend of the 7th Marquess and often visited Plas Newydd.

In the late 1940s Plas Newydd was used as a training base for Navy cadets and HMS Conway was moored here. It is certainly a super spot to moor a ship with access to open seas.

We had a lovely day at another beautiful National Trust property, we are certainly enjoying our membership.