Waddingham family.

Family

Waddingham family.

In 1783 the Hafod estate, Cardiganshire, was inherited by Thomas Johnes, who created the picturesque landscape for which the estate is best remembered. After his death, the estate was purchased by Henry Pelham, 4th Duke of Newcastle, (1785-1851). In 1846, the Duke sold it to Sir Henry Hoghton of Hoghton Tower, Lancashire. After building a superb mansion, he sold the estate at auction in 1855. The new owner was William Chambers, (1809-1882), a prominent Liberal and industrialist from Llanelli, Carmarthenshire. Due to financial difficulties, Chambers put the Hafod estate up for auction in 1864, but only the outlying parts were sold. In 1872, Hafod was sold to John Waddingham of Guiting Grange, near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. He reorganised the house and created new plantations of European larch, and bought back the Devil's Bridge portion of the estate that had been sold by Chambers. After John Waddingham's death in 1890, Hafod was inherited by his younger son, Thomas James Waddingham (1840-1938). He married Sarah, daughter of James Davies of Ffosrhydgaled, in 1883. In the early 20th century, Waddingham was active in encouraging the Vale of Rheidol Railway scheme. His interest in the estate declined, especially after his wife's death in 1910. In 1929, the uplands were leased to the Forestry Commission. He died in 1939. Ten years later, the house was gutted when an auction of fixtures and fittings was held, and in the following year most of the demesne and outlying areas were acquired for the Forestry Commission.