Plas Rhianfa

Plas Rhianfa is a large seaside villa built in ornate French gothic style, inspired by the châteaux of the Loire Valley. It is constructed of dressed Penmon limestone rubble with freestone dressings and fish scale slate roofs (except to the turrets), and positioned to command views over the Menai Strait on a dramatically sloping site.

The house has an unusual configuration. The ground level entrance is positioned at the rear and connects to the main block via a covered bridge, with the principal storey actually forming the second storey of the main accommodation block. The building comprises a rectangular main block linked by bridge to a rear entrance block, with a secondary range beyond, adjoining the boundary wall and enclosing a deep courtyard that was partially infilled later by an extension to the accommodation.

The main block is three storeys with attics, punctuated by circular turrets with conical roofs at each angle. The principal south elevation faces over the Menai Strait and is tightly symmetrical, articulated by the angle turrets and an advanced central gable. This gable features a shaped parapet clasped between diminutive versions of the angle turrets springing from corbels at second floor level. The principal storeys (first and second floors) are emphasised by a corbelled two-storey oriel with small-pane sash windows to the first floor and taller mullioned and transomed windows to the second, with a small balcony. On the lower storey, the base of this oriel is flanked by smaller paired mullioned windows with small-pane sashes. To either side of the central bay, the lower storey has bands of similar mullioned windows: paired mullioned windows to the first floor, and boldly corbelled balconies clasped between central gable and angle turrets to the second storey. The deeply overhanging eaves are supported by cusped braced posts. Recessed within to the right are paired French doorways with transoms and curved headed lights; similar detail appears to the left though concealed by balcony glazing. Paired steep pointed dormer gables feature traceried windows. Chimneys have slender shafts.

The west return elevation has similar mullioned windows in the lower storeys and an extravagant corbelled oriel at second floor with a small balcony running between the turrets. The east elevation has a similar balcony with fewer windows. A low range links the main block to a corner tower of the rear range, apparently secondary but continuing the gothic vocabulary of the original. This link range has a triangular oriel window at first floor and a curved porch with decorative timber-work in the angle with the tower. The tower is square in plan with narrow sash windows on each floor and a turretted parapet.

A lower range to the rear runs parallel with the main block, linking back to the main entrance and oriented around a square hall block with a steep scalloped slate roof and shaped gabled frontispiece. Advanced from this is a corridor porch terminating in a boldly overhanging timber gable. The covered bridge links from the square hall back to the rear of the main range, which has a subsidiary roof also in fish scale slate. To the right of the hall, a further hipped roof with similar slate marks the terminus of the rear range. Pierced screen walls either side of the porch link the main block to the boundary wall at the rear.

Loosely linked to the lower east side of the main block is a later 'tenants hall', executed in a far more restrained loosely Tudor Gothic style, with large mullioned and transomed windows defining its principal storey of three bays. The central bay is brought forward with angle pilasters terminating in leaded spirelets.

The architectural elaboration of the exterior is matched by the interior. On the principal floor, a carefully contrived sequence leads from the entrance via halls and bridge to the main suite of three rooms arranged en filade, each richly ornamented. Fine joinery throughout includes coffered painted ceilings and a series of exuberant fireplaces, one designed as a miniature castle and improbably set beneath a large window. Labyrinthine service quarters are positioned beneath the formal accommodation.