27/05/2026
Plas Dinas is a Grade ll listed Welsh Country House dating back to the mid-seventeenth century but with extensive Victorian additions. The original house was built around the substantial stone arched fireplace which can still be seen in the Gun Room today. The fireplace originally heated the whole house, which was on two floors and also provided cooking facilities for the occupants. The house was originally built from random stone found in abundance in the locality. To the rear of the property one can still see the irregular nature of the stone used.
The house, surrounded by it's farmland, came into the possession of the Armstrong-Jones family in the nineteenth century through marriage. The family had become relatively prosperous through the efforts of Robert Jones who had married the daughter of Sir Owen Roberts, whose family came from the neighbouring village of Clynnog. Sir Owen was a Welsh educationalist, pioneering technical education and at the forefront of promoting equality in education.
Robert Jones was eventually knighted for his services to the medical profession, being a leading figure in the field of residential care for the mentally ill. Sir Robert Jones, who, using his Mother’s maiden name, subsequently altered his name to Armstrong-Jones. He had a son, Ronald in 1899 and also a daughter, Gwendolyn, in 1905. The family was, at that time, living in the London area and retained Plas Dinas as their country home. Gwendolyn, later becoming Lady Buckley, for many years shared the house with Ronald, making use of half of the house. Upon retirement Ronald took full ownership of the house and further added a north wing to the property.
Ronald Armstrong-Jones, son of Sir Robert, was educated at Eton, lieutenant in the Royal Artillery in World War l and medically discharged as Major from the Kings Royal Riffles late in World War ll. After attending Oxford University, he later became a barrister. He married firstly Anne, the daughter of a Colonel Messel who came from a most sophisticated European family. The marriage produced a daughter, Susan and a son, Antony, who in 1960 married Princess Margaret, sister to Queen Elizabeth II. Antony subsequently became Lord Snowdon, the 1st Earl of Snowdon. Ronald married twice thereafter having another son, Peregrine, who we love dearly, with his third wife, Jenifer.
Lord Snowdon, who suffered a major attack of polio in his youth, built a reputation for photography and has portrayed many famous people in his career including members of the current house of Windsor. In 1963 he was appointed to the honorary post of Constable of Caernarfon Castle and was largely responsible for organising the investiture ceremony of the young Prince Charles when he became Prince of Wales. Princess Margaret spent a considerable amount of time at Plas Dinas during this period and was and is fondly regarded by the locals who still love to tell Daniel and I their stories of when their beautiful Princess Margaret visited our beautiful country house.
Plas Dinas still retains many family portraits, memorabilia and original furniture. It presents the opportunity to enjoy the ambience of a genuine Welsh gentleman's country residence, largely unspoilt by its conversion into luxury accommodation, telling the story of the much loved Armstrong-Jones family through 11 individually styled bedrooms, all designed to represent an Armstrong-Jones family member or role they played in society.
This beautiful image was captured just here, at Plas Dinas Country House in 1962 during one of the more official visits to the house.
