Owners of historic Gwynedd house forced to drop 'Snowdonia Manor' sign in favour of Welsh name

The controversial signpost outside Grade-II listed property, Y Llwyn Credit: Daily Post Wales

An English sign that was installed by the new owners of a historic manor in Eryri (Snowdonia) has now been removed following a cultural row over the name. The sign, which was installed last month, caused outrage in Dolgellau, Gwynedd, as it appeared to replace the Welsh name of one of the town’s heritage properties with an Anglicised version.Following the controversy, the town council agreed to make inquiries with a view to 'educate' the new owner of Y Llwyn, ancestral seat of local landed families dating back to the 16th Century.The signpost indicated the Grade-II listed property had been renamed “Snowdonia Manor”. Cottages and outbuildings were given names like “Cader Cottage” and “Idris Barn”.

The signpost outside the Grade-II listed property indicated the ancient hall had been renamed “Snowdonia Manor” Credit: Daily Post Wales

Residents labelled the name choices as “disgraceful” and an act of “cultural vandalism”.

On social media, some called for the signpost to be torn down or daubed with red and green paint. One man said: “They probably didn’t understand how much of a tragedy this is."Another local resident said too many homes and farms in the area were being bought up and given English names. She said. “It’s time we stand firm again and put a stop to them destroying our culture.”After learning of local concerns, Y Llwyn's owners acted quickly to diffuse the situation.

Abby Lever, one of the redevelopment partners, accepted the decision had been a mistake and that no offence had been intended.

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"I'd like to apologise," said Abby, of Lever's Living, Oswestry. "We hadn't really thought it through properly."As soon as we became aware of local concerns, we arranged for the signpost to be removed. It will be reinstated in due course with the appropriate Welsh names."Nine-bedroom Llwyn hall is being renovated as tourism accommodation for large families and groups. Its owners hope to be taking bookings in around a month's time. Y Llwyn is famously linked, indirectly, to Welsh politician Lewis ab Owen, known locally as “‘Y Barwn Owen”. A 16th Century Sheriff of Merioneth, and the county’s MP, he also served as the 1st Baron of the Exchequer for North Wales.Llwyn’s apparent name change was raised at a meeting of Dolgellau Town Council on Tuesday night and agreed to write to the property’s new owner requesting a rethink.At the time, Cllr Ywain Myfyr expressed concern it showed a lack of respect for the area’s heritage. He said: “If we can, we will convey our dismay and, hopefully, educate the owner about the building’s history.”

When placed on the market, the nine-bedroom hall, a cottage and a barn conversion were marketed to “investors” as a “great opportunity”.

In September 2021, Dolgellau Town Council raised no objections to an application for Listed Building Consent by new owners Sheffield-based JIA Developments, which wanted to convert Llwyn into tourism accommodation.The company promised a “sympathetic approach", with all existing Grade II*-listed l features preserved. In a planning statement, its agents said: “This conversion would result in an increase in the quality of local living, would support the local tourism and would benefit the local heritage.”