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NT Plas Newydd
The National Trust property at Plas Newydd is a house that I have wanted to visit for many a year, having had my appetite wetted by Tim Wannacott on "Bargain Hunt". He has visited it on a number of occasions, when filming an edition of the programme in Wales, spending a lot of the time there concentrating on the Whistler Mural, the house contents and the views. The day we arrived was poor, weather wise, with low visibility and the occasional downpour. Nevertheless we were here and able at last to visit the house, see the mural and make the most of the views. The settings for the house and grounds are stunning, right on the edge of the Menai Straits, with views, on a clear day, of the Brittania Bridge. not that the early inhabitants of the house would have, as the bridge wasn't built until 1850. The house has its origins back to 1470. Set in wonderful parkland it is a most imposing sight. The house is full of interesting pieces of furniture as well as a military gallery dedicated to the 1st Marquess, Henry William, who played a key part in the Battle of Waterloo. His bravery and leadership, on the day, won him great renown; he lost his leg and was the first to receive a fully articulated wooden leg, which is on display. (He no longer needs it). The main attraction for me was the chance to see the Rex Whistler capriccio painting which fills the wall of the dining room. Delight in being able to see it, tinged with a large dollop of regret as restoration work was being carried out in the room, not on the Whistler, but the ceiling, as a result, our views of the capriccio was obscured by a large scaffold tower. Nevertheless we have at last witnessed, first hand, this remarkable piece of fantasy, so amazingly created. Oh to have that, or part of, on your own dining room wall at home. We did manage to get pictures, but most of then fronted by said offending tower. I have cheated and downloaded a full picture of this wonderful mural. On our exit from the house the rain was still persisting so any attempt to walk the grounds or take panoramic pictures was out of the question.
Above: First, the downloaded picture, from the internet showing the work of Rex Whistler in full, un-interupted. Pictures of the rooms and finally below, Bens panaoramic view of a movable scaffold tower, in front, and thus obscuring the view of the painting.
