2023 is the year of returns and the latest is Open Doors. Though this is held over the weekend, it was noticeable that yesterday, Saturday, was the day when most premises' doors were open. A significant number had been open in previous years but since the festival was last on offer in 2019 this didn't really matter too much.
There were also premises open for the first time or those that rarely opened:
The star of the show was Clwyd Bank, above and below. It saw 250 visitors. Visitors in moving up to the first and second floors were astounded to find a stunningly and sympathetically restored property with much original wood. It truly blended old and new. The attic room was splendid and partly hidden behind the double bed was a huge chimney breast. During the summer's dendrochronology project, it was confirmed that the house was built in 1661.
Those who skulk around the seamier social media will know him for this outspoken and often cynical, dissenting negativity and sometimes derisory comments. Although this did not appear to seep into his conversations with visitors, the front window notice was redolent of such comments. The Star, too, had been dated dendrochronologically, this time at 1491, significantly older than the two references within to 1639.
| Clwyd Bank | First time open in a completed state. Had previously opened when under refurbishment |
| The Star | Had been open at least once, many years ago |
| Rose Cottage | Open only when tenants change, hence this year |
| The Old Courthouse | First time opening for Open Doors but, of course, has been available for much of the 2021 and 2022 seasons |
| Wynnstay House | First time open in a completed state |
| Naylor Leyland Centre | First time opened (also, refurbished in 2020/21) |
Rose Cottage, below, has been open twice before but can only do so if there's a change of tenants. Owner Eifion Hughes was able to show the house because the longstanding tenants had moved out. He stated that he was shortly to put Rose Cottage on the housing market so, if you're after a grade II-listed medeval cruck-framed house, this will be a rare chance to get one. Hughes refurbished Rose Cottage in 1999, including adding back the thatched roof, in 1999.
Below, The Star's owner was on his premises to welcome visitors.
