Plas-yn-Dre, Bala
This building was once the home of Simon Lloyd, an influential early Methodist. In the 17th century, historian Edward Llwyd described it as Bala’s biggest building. The frontage we see today dates from the early 20th century.
Plas-yn-Dre was the townhouse (yn dre = in the town) of successive generations of the Lloyd family of the Rhiwaedog estate (south west of Bala). They included Simon Lloyd (1756-1836), his wife Bridget and their eight children. After graduating in 1779 from Jesus College Oxford, Simon had become a Church of England priest.
His leanings towards Methodism caused trouble, and eventually he was barred from taking up the curacy of Llanuwchllyn, near Bala. He later became a Methodist cleric, and wrote books on religion and Welsh literature.
Simon’s portrait from c.1810 and the photo of Plas-yn-Dre c.1875 are shown here courtesy of Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – the National Library of Wales.
Simon encouraged Rev Thomas Charles of Carmarthenshire to settle in Bala. While visiting Simon, Thomas met Sally Jones, the Bala woman who became his wife and a crucial pillar of support as he developed education and Methodism in North Wales. You can read more about Thomas on our page about his Bala home.
Plas-yn-Dre was home to Bala Congregationalist College from 1870 to 1886. In 1877 Prof Llewelyn Ioan Evans of Cincinnati, USA, died at Plas-yn-Dre. He was a Hebrew expert, and had recently moved to Bala to take up a post at the college.
Today the building is home to a restaurant and guest accommodation – follow the link below for details.
Postcode: LL23 7LU View Location Map