Council Tax Band: G | Local Authority: Powys County Council | Tenure: Freehold
Grade II Listed Regency Mansion House with seven double bedrooms, six bathrooms, four reception rooms and ancillary accommodation featuring a multi-media suite with pottery studio
Set in grounds of about 2.75 acres
Two independent two & three bedroom apartments
Large west facing lawn with sun terrace and water feature
Grade I Listed Gatehouse with turret and armoury room
Potential for change of use and development subject to consent
Situated in a prime central position in Crickhowell in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park with extraordinary views towards the Black Mountains, Mynydd Llangatwg, Table Mountain & the Beacons
Easy road access to Abergavenny & Brecon plus further afield to Cardiff (50mins) & Bristol (1hr)
Highly favoured primary & high schools in Crickhowell & Llangattock as well as in the private sector in Brecon, Hereford & Monmouth
Array of gastro pubs, cafes & independent shops all close-by, popular tourist area with walking & outdoor leisure activities all widely available
Summary
This is a fine example of a Grade II Listed Regency mansion house dating from 1824 and occupying a prime, central position in the very centre of the bustling and internationally famous market town of Crickhowell in the Bannau Brycheiniog - Brecon Beacons - National Park and from which an extraordinary vista over the splendid tapestry and landscape of the Black Mountains can be richly enjoyed. Steeped in history and ancestry and occupying the site of a former residence where Charles I is believed to have once stayed, this substantial country property occupies grounds of circa 2.75 acres to include the main seven bedroomed, six bathroom, mansion house together with four receptions rooms, an entertainment room complete with bar, an addition to the principal accommodation containing a multi-media suite, pottery/artist studio, and kitchen plus bathroom facilities, two self-contained apartments, one of three bedrooms, and one with two bedrooms, and of great historical interest to the town, a Grade I Listed Gatehouse identified as being a scheduled ancient monument. Rarely does an opportunity to acquire a magnificent property such as this arise with the potential to occupy a major primary residence or commercial opportunity to suit. Given the size of the grounds, there is the potential for development but this, together with any change in classification of the property, would require the necessary planning consent.
This mansion house sits on the site of a 15th century fortified manor house. The original Grade I Listed Gatehouse which occupies a prominent position on Brecon Road, protected the former manor house of Cwrt Y Carw, translated from Welsh to English as Stag’s Court, and was part of the defences of the English Lordship of Raglan and more latterly was once the Herbert family’s mansion home. Whilst the original manor house was damaged by fire, the 15th century two storey Gatehouse remains and has a distinctive crenelated top which is set forward into a long crenelated wall which runs around the northern perimeter of the former site. The Gatehouse represents an individual slice of history in our modern world and is believed to be the only scheduled ancient monument left in private ownership in Wales. Featuring a battlemented parapet, the structure has an array of features and was immortalised on a Victorian watercolour by Caleb Robert Stanley which was produced on bank notes for the Bank of Porthmawr, existing as currency until replaced by a national bank in the town.
The Gatehouse has an archway from within which leads to the main house which although a younger build than its older protector, is itself Listed and was constructed by the Seymour family to replace the manor house which had been demolished to make way for New Road. The residence is attractively stucco-fronted under a slate roof with wide swept bracket eaves and classical eaves bands and is of a U-plan design with later additions. The property has retained several historical features including shuttered small pane sash windows, a central part glazed porch to the front elevation under a striking lean-to veranda with decorative detailing on the sun terrace, wide oak floorboard planks, and an oak staircase which has been restored from the original by the owner. Some of the internal doors and fireplaces are original as is much of the cornicing and ceiling roses.
The owner has extended great attention to detail and has personally hand-crafted missing doors and frames ensuring that they are a close reproduction of the original and what has been lost over time, such as chandeliers, has been painstakingly sourced across the country from similar aged properties and installed in this exceptional home. Whilst the property is of its age, it has been a labour of love for the owner to methodically restore it from run-down apartments to its former glory whilst having an eye for modern enhancements and improvements. This property should therefore be regarded as a sympathetically restored mansion house that has been transformed into a modern home perfectly attuned to its surroundings and heritage.
Location
Location Summary
Crickhowell is a small yet thriving town set amongst the stunning scenery of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park alongside the banks of the River Usk. Crickhowell is highly regarded amongst the walking community and is a haven for both home seekers and tourists alike. The town was the first winner of the annual Best High Street in Britain Award and is famed for its family run and independent businesses including several grocers, a butcher, a delicatessen, a baker, Wales’s first zero waste shop, and a newsagent/post office. In addition, there are several individual boutiques, cafes, a book shop which attracts famous authors to its doors, and a florist, plus of course Cric, the tourist information and resource archive centre.
Crickhowell also benefits from dentist surgeries, a health centre, a garage, and the iconic Webbs hardware store. There are numerous public houses, gastro pubs and restaurants, and no description of Crickhowell would be complete without mentioning The Bear which has been serving customers since 1432 and stands in a prominent position at the head of the high street, in the centre of this bustling town. The area is also well served for schools for all ages, both of which are fêted in both the local area and further afield too. As well as being for the young, Crickhowell enjoys an active older community with the local U3A boasting 390 members.
For more comprehensive shopping and leisure facilities, the historic market town of Abergavenny is just 7 miles away and offers a wide selection of boutique style shops, grocery and newsagent stores, major supermarkets and many well-known high street shops, including WH Smiths, Boots, and a large Waitrose with John Lewis at Home section. Abergavenny also hosts a market several times a week which includes a farmers’ market, flea market and a monthly night food market. The town has its own cinema and leisure centre as well as several eateries for evening entertainment. The railway station has regular services into central London via Newport, with good road links giving access to the motorway for Bristol, Birmingham, the South West and London and “A” routes for Monmouth, Hereford, Cwmbran and Cardiff.
