Customers of a beloved luxury tearoom which was famed for its stunning ivy-laden exterior are in uproar after the entire vine was pruned. The Grade II-listed Tu Hwnt i'r Bont, beside Pont Fawr in Llanrwst, North Wales is famed for its striking Virginia creeper ivy, which frequently attracts photographers and tourists keen to take a picture-perfect photo in front of it. The building is known for its vibrant transition from green leaves in spring and summer to a rich crimson red in the autumn months.

However, the creeper has undergone a significant trim; leaving a significantly less vibrant building in its place. National Trust Cymru, which oversees the external walls and roof of the historic building, found that the plant needed cutting back after an inspection revealed minor damage to some slates, which are held in place by wooden pegs. The tearoom's last trim occurred over two decades ago and since then, a thick layer of ivy had built up on the roof, putting undue strain on the delicate slabs.

Additionally, nettles and invasive species like Himalayan balsam had started to take over the roof. The ivy was drastically cut back this week, a move that, despite prior warnings, has shocked some locals who said the establishment looked 'awful'. The Grade II-listed Tu Hwnt i'r Bont, beside Pont Fawr in Llanrwst, North Wales, is famous for its striking Virginia creeper ivy and frequently attracts photographers and Instagrammers.

It appears the creeper has undergone a significant trim and now a rather stale looking grey building stands in its place, blending into the colourless cloudy skies. The before and after pictures have circulated on Facebook, with residents sharing their thoughts on the drastic change. One wrote: 'Looks awful, the Virginia creeper has been there for all of my lifetime. I guess it will grow back and the building needs protecting. It's not as nice as it used to be. I have been going for 50 years!!!'.

Another penned: 'Just doesn't look the same,' while a third said: 'It looks awful now.'. A fourth commented: 'It seems a shame but is best for the conservation of the building's integrity.'. Billed as a '15th century luxury tearoom,' Tu Hwnt i'r Bont serves up traditional high tea, homemade cakes and award-wining ice-cream. And it's clear the Virginia creeper ivy is a core feature of the property, as snaps of the building in its former glory are seen splashed all over the website.

The tearoom is also a popular tourist destination for content creators. Many travel vloggers visited the place when it still had its ivy, calling the tearoom 'beautiful' and 'magical,' with one even stating that it was one of her 'favourite cottages to visit'. Tu Hwnt i'r Bont, which translates to Beyond the Bridge, was built as a residential dwelling in 1480. It's clear the Virginia creeper ivy is a core feature of the property, as snaps of the building in its former glory is seen splashed all over the website.

Although locals were informed the ivy would be cut back, it has shocked some who said the establishment looked 'awful. Local residents have been commenting on the change on Facebook, saying the building looked 'awful'. National Trust Cymru, which oversees the external walls and roof of the historic building, found that the plant needed cutting back after an inspection revealed minor damage to some slates.

Nettles and invasive species like Himalayan balsam had started to take over the roof. Tu Hwnt i'r Bont, which translates to Beyond the Bridge, was built as a residential dwelling in 1480. The dwelling is known for its vibrant transition from green leaves in spring and summer to a rich crimson red in the autumn months. The tearoom is also a popular tourist destination for content creators, who will no doubt be disappointed to book a table expecting one thing and getting another.

Over the centuries Tu Hwnt i’r Bont has fallen into disrepair several times and has been rebuilt and restored through the generosity of the townsfolk. The tearoom is also a popular tourist destination for content creators, who would come to look at the ivy which is now gone. Over the past couple of centuries, it has relied on locals to be rebuilt and restored before responsibility was passed over to the National Trust, which have leased the building for more than 50 years.

Over the centuries Tu Hwnt i’r Bont has fallen into disrepair several times and has been rebuilt and restored through the generosity of the townsfolk. It was then acquired by the National Trust who have since leased the building for over 50 years. Their website states: 'Tu Hwnt I’r Bont is itself, in this idyllic setting, an obvious "must see" tourist attraction; offering as it does, a truly authentic and hugely enjoyable ‘taste’ of North Wales and its culture.'.