Penarwel

The house is built in a Tudor Gothic style with Gimlet granite from Pwllheli, and generally has slate roofs. Two storeys and attics, of complex plan, with the entrance front to the S, the main E front overlooking gardens to Cardigan Bay and Snowdonia, and the rear, N, front. The S front consists of three major elements, stepping forward to the W and continuing as a 2-storey service wing. The entrance is set in the middle element, a 3-storey crenellated tower, placed asymmetrically, and has a moulded timber door and label over. The principal windows are of roughly finished square section mullions, generally set flush with the walls, the labels above the only projection. Tall 3-light mullioned and transomed window above the entrance, and above, paired 2-light windows to the second floor below the parapet. Left of the entrance tower, a forward gable with modern windows, but retaining a remarkable cast iron hopper head in the form of a dragon, and a ceramic zoomorphic gable finial. Lesser gables appear on the service wing to the left. The right element of this front is a larger recessed crenellated tower with 3-light windows and it stands forward to form the left end of the garden front. Recessed 3-bay range to this elevation with similarly detailed windows and crenellated eaves parapet; the tower loosely balanced to the right by a forward gable, with similar 3-light windows to the main floors, and a further window to a lowered basement room. The N front has two gables, the rear one advanced and having a glazed raking external stair to the basement set in the angle. Simpler sash windows with plain lintels. The W side, including the service wing, retains rock-faced quoins and similar windows, but is rendered and colourwashed. Some windows on the N and W replaced.

An entrance lobby leads to the stair hall, completely panelled in oak, and with a coffered ceiling of stained timber. From here, a wide depressed arch on fluted paired pilasters opens to a square panelled reception room, also panelled and with a similar ceiling, and a fine fireplace and overmantel. From the stair hall a 6-panelled door and fanlight opens to the main drawing room. This is fully panelled and has a remarkably elaborate gilded cornice and ceiling. The half landing of the stair is lit from the large 3-light window over the door.