Calls for National Trust to step in to save North Wales mansion dubbed the ‘Welsh Versailles’

Calls have been made for the National Trust to step in to save a North Wales mansion dubbed the “Welsh Versailles”.

Campaigners warned this week that the future of Kinmel Hall, near Abergele, is at risk if more is not done to preserve it.

Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has now requested a meeting with the heritage conservation charity in the hope that they may be able to help protect it.

He said: “This magnificent property, known as the ‘Versaille of Wales’, was built in 1876 and is Wales’ largest country home. Kinmel Hall has been empty since 2001 and is now falling into a state of serious disrepair.

“The extent of the damage has led to the hall being identified as one of the top ten at risk Victorian and Edwardian buildings in the United Kingdom and the future of the building as a whole remains bleak and uncertain.

“Kinmel Hall is of national, cultural and historical importance and would be a perfect addition to the National Trust’s property portfolio.

“I am have therefore written to the National Trust asking them to meet with me and representatives of The Friends of Kinmel Hall, a campaigning group established to save this special building, to discuss any potential role that the National Trust may be able to play in protecting this important part of our heritage.

“The Friends of Kinmel Hall have worked hard over the years to try to safeguard this magnificent building and substantial sums have been invested into it in the past.

“Allowing it to fall into a permanent state of decline and disrepair is simply not an option and I vow to help The Friends of Kinmel Hall in every way I can to save it from this fate.”

Main image: “File:Kinmel Hall – geograph.org.uk – 25267 (cropped).jpg” by Dot Potter is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0