Mark Baker (author)


Mark Baker is an architectural historian, an author of several books on country houses, estates and their families. Baker has contributed to several television series and programmes. He became a Welsh Conservative Party councillor for Gele in May 2017.

Early years and education

Baker was educated at Rydal Penrhos School, Colwyn Bay. He later attended the University of Wales, Bangor, in 2003, from which graduated with a BA in history and archaeology in 2006. Baker's MA was taken at Cardiff University and focussed on the Gothic Revival in Wales.
Baker then undertook PhD studies researching the development of Welsh Country Houses, during which he discovered the earliest known image of Hafod Uchtryd, Devil's Bridge. Baker was made a member of the National Trust Committee for Wales in 2009. In 2011, Baker curated "Welsh Architecture from the Salisbury Collection: A Selection of Original Artworks" from Cardiff University archives.

Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust

In 1997, Baker founded ASFOG. The organisation changed its name in 2001 to Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust and became a registered charity. The Trust aims to raise awareness of Gwrych's plight and also to establish a solution for the conservation and preservation of the castle. Baker spearheaded a campaign for the building's restorationthat proved fruitful when the Trust precipitated the sale of the castle by pursuing compulsory purchase action. This earned Baker recognition within the heritage world and he was made the youngest honorary life member of SAVE Britain's Heritage.

Historical research

Baker's first book was published at the age of 13 in 1999 on the rise and fall of Gwrych Castle, Abergele by Gwasg Helygain. Baker went on to publish further books on Gwrych Castle in 2000, 2003 and 2006. Through research at Royal Institute of British Architects it was discovered that the marble staircase at Gwrych Castle had been designed by Detmar Blow as part of a major refurbishment of the castle in 1914. This research was presented as a lecture at the National Museum of Wales, Cathays Park, Cardiff, as part of their St. David's Day celebrations in 2012.
In 2005 Baker published a history of Hafodunos, Llangernyw, a Victorian gothic building and the only example of domestic architecture to be built in Wales by George Gilbert Scott.
Baker published a detailed study of Plas Teg, near Mold, in 2006.
Baker's A Royal Home in Wales: Llwynywermod was the first book to explore the history of The Prince of Wales’ home in Wales, which he had purchased in 2006. It details the history of the Llwynywermod estate and was commissioned by the Welsh Historic Gardens Trust.
In March 2013, Baker was appointed historical researcher for S4C living history television series, Y Plas. The research was based on Baker's PhD thesis and featured houses such as Llanerchaeron, Gwrych Castle, Hafodunos, Plas Teg and Brynkir. In November 2013, to coincide with the broadcast of the television series, a book titled Y Plas: The Story of the Welsh Country House was published, co-authored by Baker, Dewi Gregory and Sian Price.
Baker worked with Linda Lamb on a collection of songs based on the poems of Margaret Sandbach of Hafodunos which was released as an album in 2012. Sandbach was a prolific author and playwright who died of breast cancer in 1852. With the aid of an Arts Council Wales grant, Baker and Gregory wrote a book based on her life, published in 2013.

Brynkir, Dolbenmaen

In 2012, Baker led a Cardiff University archaeological dig at Plas Brynkir, Dolbenmaen, in order to record the historic fabric of the two mansion houses. Again, in 2013, Baker went back to excavate Brynkir and discovered that the site had originated as a deer park, possibly created by Llywelyn the Great as part of a wider hunting landscape associated with the royal court at Dolbenmaen. The project featured collaborations with a variety of groups and organisations.
After a third season of excavation in 2014, a collection of academic essays was published by historic buildings charity, Love My Wales, with Baker acting as editor.
The artwork of J. Walter Richards, which had been discovered by Baker in 2013, was featured in displays throughout Llandudno for the duration of the LLAWN02 festival.

Heritage campaigning

On 1 September 2008, Forgotten Welsh Houses was published, sponsored by the Georgian Group and SAVE Britain's Heritage. To coincide with this release, the Georgian Group commissioned Baker to research and write Welsh Country Houses Illustrated. Baker is a regular commentator on Welsh architectural and heritage matters. He has presented at the Hay Festival.

Television

Forgotten Welsh Houses formed the basis for BBC One's 'Hidden Homes of Wales', broadcast in 2010, and for ITV Wales's Grand Declines, broadcast in 2012.

Published works