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Plas Teg, the Welsh mansion built by Sir John Trevor in 1610 is of particular interest to the artist, since it was here that he began to paint views of country houses.

Sir John Trevor, held the post of 'Keeper of the Queen's Ships' under Elizabeth I, and it is believed that structural beams used to build the house came from galleons which defeated the Spanish Armada. The house itself was much more sophisticated than other early 17th century architecture in the locality, its plan having precedents with Palladio.

The Great Hall occupies the entire depth of the building in its central section, and the Great Chamber above occupies the same position and is hung with 180 yard of German silk damask. It permits views over the formal gardens in front of the house which are currently being recreated by the owner using geometric gravel paths and Irish yews.

The Long Gallery, originally used for exercise during inclement weather, runs through the centre of the house giving access to bedrooms and the Tower Rooms, in which are contained one of the best collections of 19th century baths in Britain. The house is also home to a menagerie of exotic birds. A pink cockatoo named 'Grimston' has the run of the library shelves, two parrots live happily in the evocatively recreated 19th century Kitchens, and ancient macaws have the run of the Servant's Hall. Plas Teg was owned by descendants of the Trevor family until 1986, when it was bought by Cornelia Bayley, who restored the house and opened it to the public for the first time.

 

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