The History of Pool Park / Hanes Pool Parc
Explore the storied past of this historic estate, from its early beginnings to its diverse roles throughout the years.
Pool Park, located just off the Llanfwrog-Cerrigydrudion road, approximately three miles southwest of Ruthin, is a spacious mansion with a rich history.
While there is no documentation available prior to the 16th century for Pool Park, the land underwent transformation into a private hunting ground, under the lordship of the de Greys of Ruthin Castle in 1284. Other lordship parks included Bathafarn, Clocaenog, Ruthin, and 'Brynkyffa.'
Starting from the 16th century, these parks were either sold or leased.
The narrative of Pool Park estate unfolds through the intertwined stories of two families—one Welsh and one English: the Salesbury and Bagot families. These two families held ownership of the house and estate for approximately 300 years, from the early seventeenth century until 1932.
The Salesbury Family
The Salesbury family, a branch of the Salusbury family of Lleweni Denbigh, was headed by Sir Robert Salusbury. John, Sir Robert's son, expanded the Bachymbyd and Rug estates through marriage, with Pool Park becoming part of the Bachymbyd estate. While it's unclear if a house was built at that time, the Salesburys had a house erected there by the mid-17th century.
Elisabeth Salusbury was the widow of Sir Robert Salesbury; She married Robert Needham High Sherriff of Denbighshire after her husband’s death.
Charles Salusbury, the second son of Sir Robert Needham and Elizabeth Salusbury, inherited the family estates. His only surviving child and heiress was Jane Salusbury, therefore the Bachymbyd Estate, including Pool Park, was passed onto her.
A substantial house, probably that of Elizabeth Salusbury, is known to have existed on the site of the current building in the 18th century.
The Bagot Family
In 1670, Jane Salesbury married Sir Walter Bagot, the 3rd Baronet of Blithfield Hall, Staffordshire. As a consequence, the estate integrated into the extensive Bagot lands.
For more than two centuries, Pool Park was held within the possession of the Bagot family.
Following Sir Walter, three consecutive generations of Baronets and later, four generations of Barons, maintained ownership. William, the 2nd Baron Bagot (1773 to 1856), deemed the park deserving of a new residence. Consequently, he reconstructed the residence between 1826 and 1829, adopting an Elizabethan revival style. The project, designed by John Buckler, incurred a cost of £4,600. This is the house that stands today.
Pool Park circa 1900, constructed in a half-timbered style by Lord Bagot. Subsequent owners later opted to remove this architectural feature. Within the hall, positioned on the east wall above the windows, there are panels bearing inscriptions. On the left side of the front door, the words read, 'William 2nd Lord Bagot built this House,' while on the right side, they state, 'Begun A.D. 1826. Finished A.D. 1829'’.
Tenants
The Bagot family made the decision to reside in Blithfield Hall located in Staffordshire, and they frequently leased Pool Park to various tenants. Notable individuals among these tenants were George Richards Elkington, an electroplater from Birmingham, Robert Blezard, a Liverpool brewer, and Sir Ernest Tate, who served as the president of Tate and Lyle sugar refiners.
It is likely that George Elkington entered into a lease for Pool Park around 1860, and he passed away at the property on 22nd September 1865. Subsequently, his son George assumed responsibility for the lease, which he held until 1870.
Robert Blezard moved to Pool Park in 1869, he remained there until his death at the end of December 1906. His son and heir, George Blezard took over his father’s tenancy of Pool Park until 1909.
In 1910, Sir Ernest Tate took up residence at Pool Park, but he gave up the lease in early 1929, shortly after the estate was sold in 1928. The Entrance hall image depicts the appearance of the entrance hall during Sir Ernest Tate's tenancy.
Pool Park Hospital
In 1928 and 1930, sale efforts were made for a house and a 17,550-acre estate, but no buyers emerged. In the latter sale, the land was eventually sold to a forestry contractor who exploited valuable timber and later distributed portions to different buyers.
The Bagot family maintained ownership of the house until 1934 when it was acquired by the North Wales Counties Mental Hospital. The hospital operated from 1937 to 1990. During this period, a building to the south of the forecourt, facing north (The Farmhouse), lost its roof and was subsequently demolished. A chapel was constructed between the stables and walled gardens, and a prisoner of war camp was established in the park's northern end during World War II.
Post-1992, the house was purchased at auction and has remained vacant since then.
Today / Heddiw
The Grade II* listed building and its out buildings have now stood empty since 1990, when it closed as a hospital.
The hardwood flooring and intricate wooden paneling have deteriorated as a result of water damage. The property has also fallen victim to theft, with lead and copper items being stolen, ceilings are dripping water and shedding plaster and nearly all windows are broken. Nevertheless, a splendid antique staircase persists, cascading down two levels into a magnificent entrance hall, offering a source of genuine delight amid the prevailing debris.
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