The author:
Mark Baker’s interest in preserving Welsh houses started more than 10 years ago.At the age of 13 he became one of the country’s youngest historians when he published his first book the Rise and Fall of Gwyrch Castle. He would pass the ruins every day on his way to school and was inspired to find out about its past. And what he discovered prompted him to launch a national campaign to save the castle by setting up the Gwyrch Castle Preservation Trust. At the time he appeared on TV, Radio, met Tony Blair, founded a charity and managed to persuade authorities to save the castle.
During this time he had his first meeting with HRH The Prince of Wales, when he visited Mark’s exhibition on Gwyrch Castle at Ruthin.
Over the years Mark has written ten books on Welsh houses and their families, as well as campaigning tirelessly for the historic built environment. His books include The Rise and Fall of Gwrych Castle, Hafodunos Hall – Triumph of the Martyr, Plas Teg – A Jacobean Country House and with Michael Tree, Forgotten Houses of Wales.
Mark lives on the North Wales Coast and is a PhD candidate at Cardiff University.