Archive of Past 'Building of the Month / Archifdy 'Adeilad y Mis'

 

Cae're March, Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri
(Snowdonia National Park Authority - SPNA)

Cae'r March outbuilding before conversion

Cae'r March outbuilding - conversion to residential completed

 

Cae'r March outbuilding - conversion to residential completed

 

New oak mullioned diamond latticed window

 

 

Cae’r March is a Grade II* listed building, located on an early medieval site, which was formerly part moated. The house was originally a late medieval 2 unit, 3 bay open hall, probably of the last quarter of the fifteenth century. The open hall was a large single room open to the ceiling, with a dais partition, and two rooms – a buttery and pantry, behind it. The hall was heated by an open fire in the middle of the hall. In the second half of the sixteenth century the building was subdivided horizontally, creating a first floor, and provided with a lateral chimney stack. The house was enlarged in late 17th century by the addition of a new wing with some modernisation to that wing undertaken during the Victorian period. At some point during that time the original hall fell out of use and became an outbuilding for the 17th century house, with the lateral chimney disappearing.

Additional accommodation was required for the present owners, and the conversion of the barn was undertaken by analysing the internal features of the barn, and by using historical evidence. The significant historical character of the barn was then realised, and the conversion to residential was based on restoring the building as closely as possible to its original appearance. The alterations and repair works involved replacing the roof using new slates laid in diminishing courses, repair of the roof trusses and dais screen and the reintroduction of the first floor and impressive new chimney, which was built on the lines of the original. This conversion makes Cae’r March one of the most impressive design / renovation projects in the National Park.