Graham Watkins
The Smallest House
Queen Elizabeth I was on the throne when a rather unusual house was built in Conwy. To keep the cost down, the builder wanted a site...
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Graham Watkins
- Dec 2, 2020
- 4 min
Gnoll Belvedere - A Story of Welsh Coal, Copper and Corruption.
Sir Humphrey Mackworth was an industrialist, lawyer and fraudster who studied the scriptures in his spare time. He was educated at...
838 views
Graham Watkins
- Oct 23, 2020
- 3 min
The Mad King's Monument.
King George III, the first Hanoverian king of Britain who spoke English as his main language, had been on the throne for nearly forty...
506 views
Graham Watkins
- Oct 14, 2020
- 4 min
Paxton's Tower, a nabob's revenge.
There is a strange looking gothic tower standing high above the Towy valley between Carmarthen and Llandeilo which was built by a...
167 views
Graham Watkins
- Aug 18, 2020
- 2 min
Tŷ Castell - Castle or Cow Shed.
The Elizabethan country house, Nercwys Hall, was built by John Wynn in the 1638. Wynn, a wealthy gentleman left the estate to his son...
251 views
Graham Watkins
- Mar 17, 2020
- 6 min
Why is a lighthouse or is it a clock tower in the middle of a Cardiff boating lake?
"I am just going outside and may be some time.” Captain Lawrence (Titus) Oates 17th March 1912 In 1909, a young naval lieutenant named...
357 views
Graham Watkins
- Dec 15, 2019
- 3 min
Cilwendeg Shell House - Built with profits from a shining light.
When William Trench visited a group of islands off the coast of Anglesey known as The Skerries he came up with a money making idea. The...
382 views
Graham Watkins
- Nov 3, 2019
- 2 min
Crow’s Nest Farm - Is Your Home Really Your Castle?
In 1760, the Prime Minister, William Pitt, stated. ‘The poorest man may in his cottage bid defiance to all the force of the Crown. It may...
172 views
Graham Watkins
- Oct 6, 2019
- 3 min
Orielton Banqueting Tower - Doesn't everyone need one?
Once a grand three storey building, Orielton Banqueting Tower, now stands alone and neglected in the south western corner of Wales. The...
176 views
Graham Watkins
- Jul 28, 2019
- 4 min
The Kymin - A folly of voluptuary and gluttony
A painting of Philip Meakins Hardwick, in Monmouthshire Museum, portrays him as a portly gentleman who clearly enjoyed his food. During...
137 views
Graham Watkins
- Jun 18, 2019
- 6 min
Thomas Picton - Welsh Hero or Monster
Thomas Picton - Welsh Hero or Monster; you decide.
753 views
Graham Watkins
- Jun 2, 2019
- 4 min
Nantyglo Roundhouses - Riots, masters and men.
In the 19th Century, the South Wales valleys underwent dramatic industrial change. People arrived in their thousands, looking for work...
235 views
Graham Watkins
- May 5, 2019
- 3 min
The Hallelujah Obelisk - 'Praise the Lord' but it also means, 'Fools.'
In 1736, landowner Nehemiah Griffiths, who lived near Mold built an obelisk in one of his fields. The stone monument he erected included...
314 views
Graham Watkins
- Apr 21, 2019
- 3 min
Prospect Tower - Bats and a copper bottomed story.
Robert Morris moved from Shropshire to Swansea, in 1724, to work as the manager of Llangyfelach Copper Works. When the proprietor of the...
184 views
Graham Watkins
- Mar 24, 2019
- 3 min
Jersey Marine Tower. Rocky Marciano's Wartime home?
In 1886, the brewer Captain Evan Evans was looking to diversify his business. Brewing beer was profitable but he wanted to expand and...
344 views
Graham Watkins
- Dec 12, 2018
- 3 min
Fort Williamsburg - A toy fort with real cannon.
When in 1549, John Wynn was King Edward VI’s standard bearer the king rewarded him with a gift of Bardsey Island. In the 17th Century,...
451 views
Graham Watkins
- Nov 26, 2018
- 4 min
Castell Gwrych - A monster folly.
In the 19th Century, gothic revival architecture was the height of fashion. The new Houses of Parliament were built in the gothic style...
251 views
Graham Watkins
- Aug 26, 2018
- 3 min
Dry Bridge Lodge
Strangers travelling along a minor road south west of Mostyn are surprised to find themselves driving under a house. The structure, known...
604 views
Graham Watkins
- Aug 5, 2018
- 2 min
Six foot three Mr. Jones slept with his feet sticking out of the window.
Queen Elizabeth I was on the throne when a rather unusual house was built in Conwy. To keep the cost down, the builder wanted a site...
218 views
Graham Watkins
- May 31, 2018
- 3 min
So why did Mr. Jones build a funny looking castle?
The practice of erecting a memorial to a loved one is common enough but when William Jones’ wife Elizabeth died in 1787 he felt that...
415 views