Building Blocks

Here at the Oakeley Arms we are very proud of our lovely hotel’s long and fascinating history. The Oakeley’s story is so intertwined with that of the local area that the old building is almost as much of a historical landmark as the ancient hills, rocks and mountains that surround it.

We are often asked exactly what it is that the Oakeley is built of. Its light grey stone bricks are a distinctive landmark for many people as they pass through the village, and in fact, there’s something almost comfortable and homely about the historic old bricks. The Oakeley Arms dates back to the 16th century, and is now a Grade II listed building – so important are those ancient bricks to the history and culture of the local area.

Not much is known about the origin of the bricks that built the Oakeley Arms, but they are thought to have come from an old quarry in the nearby town of Penrhyndeudraeth. The whole area was once intrinsically linked with slate mining and stone quarrying – in fact the Oakeley Arms was once part of the infamous Oakeley Estate. The Oakeley family owned the manor house nearby, Plas Tan-y-Bwlch, as well as several of the area’s largest slate mines. You can read more about the history of the Oakeley family here.

The Oakeley Arms Hotel was auctioned off from the estate in 1910 along with 1,000 acres of land, and its fortunes rose and fell during the twentieth century. When the current owners Ann-Marie and Chris Vanstone took over in 2003, the Oakeley Arms was in a sad state of repair, and the old bricks were crying out for some TLC; which is exactly what Ann-Marie and Chris have lavished on them, with a huge programme of regeneration and repair. Today, the beautiful Oakeley bricks are back to their former glory!

Please get in touch with us if you have any information about the origins of the Oakeley Arms bricks, or any old stories linked to the hotel. We always love hearing about it’s interesting history.