Welcome to
Plas Uchaf
We are Kerrie and Bleddyn, the sixth (and seventh with our boys!) generation of sheep farmers here at Plas Uchaf in Llannefydd. Plas Uchaf, meaning "Upper Hall" in Welsh, reflects its historic significance as an important house in the area. We are proud to continue our family's custodianship of this hidden piece of Welsh heritage, a Grade II* listed house and Grade II listed walled garden—the garden being one of only 23 sites in Conwy registered on the Parks and Gardens Register.
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Our family's story here begins in the 1800s when Henry Williams became the tenant farmer of the Wynne family. The Williams family has carefully maintained the house ever since, though the formal garden was lost during World War II when it was repurposed for food production. Also during the war, Italian and German prisoners of war, along with evacuees, lived at Plas Uchaf, occupying the attic rooms. Later, in the 1960s and early 1970s, the house welcomed guests as a bed and breakfast, but by the late 1970s, its upkeep had become increasingly difficult. A grant from CADW in 1979 helped save the house, funding essential repairs to the roof and south-facing gable.
More recently, between 2019 and 2023, extensive restoration work took place under the Glastir Uwch scheme, including the reinstatement of the farm pond, replanting of the ancient woodlands and orchard, and the meticulous four-year restoration of the walled garden and ha-ha terrace, led by local stonemasons under CADW’s guidance.
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However, Plas Uchaf’s story is older still. Once the seat of the Wynne family of Caerau, descendants of the noble Marchweithian lineage, the house was once a place of great importance. The most notable owner was Edward Wynne, who was the High Sheriff of Denbighshire in 1711. Both Edward Wynne, and later his son, John Wynne also owned Nantclwyd y Dre in Ruthin — both houses sharing architectural features like the garden gazebo and decorative interior paneling. Nantclwyd y Dre is now a beautifully preserved museum showcasing centuries of Welsh history and architecture — well worth a visit for anyone interested in the heritage of Wales.
Recent research by the Discovering Old Welsh Buildings historians has uncovered further history of our remarkable home, including its connections to the influential Wynne and Goodman families. In the 17th century, Meredith Wynne of Plas Uchaf married Jane Goodman, daughter of Edward Goodman, a barrister from Ruthin. The Goodmans were a well-known and prominent family, with one of their most distinguished members being Gabriel Goodman, Dean of Westminster, who played a key role in restoring Ruthin’s collegiate church. These historical connections are a big part of Plas Uchaf’s long and fascinating history in Wales.
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Now, a new chapter begins. We are opening Plas Uchaf to guests, offering stays in our shepherd huts, where you can immerse yourself in the beauty, history, and heritage of this extraordinary farm. A portion of the proceeds from our accommodation will go toward restoring the walled garden, the vernacular farm buildings, and the ancient woodland — preserving this special place for future generations.
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You can follow our restoration journey on our Instagram account @plas.uchaf, where we’ve shared the progress we’ve made and the history we’ve uncovered — sometimes literally, like the old bottles from the bottle dump or the historical papers found in forgotten corners of the house! We also share glimpses of our daily lives as farmers, keeping this special part of Welsh heritage alive for future generations.
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Be part of our story. Come and experience Plas Uchaf for yourself, we look forward to welcoming you
