At the turn of the eighteenth century, Llangollen was well-known from being the home of The Ladies of Llangollen: Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby. The romantic story of their elopement from their families in Ireland, their journey to Wales and their setting up home at Plas Newydd captured the imagination of Regency society. The house where they lived together for almost 50 years was originally an unpretentious small cottage when they moved there in 1780. Between 1798 and 1814 they embarked on the elaborate gothicisation of their home.

The result is the projecting stained glass windows and elaborately carved oak panels built into the fabric of the house. The formal gardens in front of the house were created after The Ladies' time but they reflect the peace and tranquility that the runaways were seeking. The extensive grounds still bear evidence of The Ladies' work and a major restoration project, funded primarily by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is uncovering more of the romantic landscape they created.