Cwrt Plas Y Dre, Historic Houses Dolgellau, Gwynedd - Wales where to go, what to see and where to stay in Wales

Cwrt Plas yn Dre, Queen’s Square, Dolgellau. The building to the right of the picture bears the sign Llys Owain that gives a clue to its past importance, while the coffee shop bears both the names TH Roberts, and Parliament House. The site has a rich history, formerly being known as Cwrt Plas yn Dre a much older building that was reputedly a meeting place for Owain Glyndwr’s parliament in the early 15th Century. Cwrt Plas-yn-dre was also the home of Baron Lewis Owen, the Sheriff of Meirionnydd murdered by the Red Bandits of Mawddwy (Welsh: Gwylliaid Cochion Mawddwy) on 12 October 1555. Sadly this building was demolished and the TH Roberts Ironmongers store took its place. Following the Dolgellau gold rush in the 19th Century (at one time the local gold mines employed over 500 workers) the building achieved importance in its own right. The gold miners would buy their tools and mining equipment at TH Roberts store and although the gold rush dwindled to a trickle the store retained its Victorian fixtures and fittings throughout the 20th Century. Sadly the remarkably preserved ironmongers changed hands in the 21st Century and a small part of Dolgellau’s heritage was lost for ever.