Relative peace in the Welsh borders after the Act of Union and the removal of the Marches in the 16th century meant that the site was transformed into a more domestic setting.
We think that there was originally a small Tudor house that adjoined the keep, which was then incorporated into the larger Jacobean mansion that we see today. Analysis of timbers from the roof of the mansion have shown that it was built in around 1640 and is associated with the family of Howel Gwynne.
The Jacobean mansion has beautiful Dutch gables along the roof and stunning brick chimneys which stand tall above the skyline of Hay. A very different, style and manner to the defensive Norman keep it joins. The Jacobean mansion is all about wealth and status and is a very "showy" construction. When you look closely you can see how it has incorporated older walls and fireplaces, revealing the older history of the Norman buildings hidden within and beneath it.
