House for sale in Welshpool, Powys, SY21 9PG

Mileage

Welshpool Railway Station: 2 miles
Shrewsbury: 20 miles
Birmingham Airport: 40 miles

Description

HISTORY

Llanerchydol was the seat of David Pugh, Esquire, a wealthy tea trader who built the present house in 1776 on the site of an original house which is thought to have been destroyed by fire. It remained in the Pugh family for 136 years during which time it underwent considerable alterations and adaptations, the most notable being in 1820 when the house was rebuilt introducing the romantic turrets and castellations and later in 1848 renowned architect Thomas Penson was consulted on the drawing room.

The family also placed great importance on landscaping the surrounding parkland by employing John Repton. The gardens, including a Japanese water garden and parterre, were introduced along with bold planting of trees in a grand style, the benefits of which can only now be truly appreciated. It was noted that during the Victorian era, the three great houses in the area, Powis Castle, Vaenor Park and Llanerchydol vied with each other for the most varied and gorgeous collection of flora and garden produce.

Towards the end of the Pugh family ownership parts of the estate which had amounted to some 2000 acres within a ring fence had to be sold off to maintain the house and their lifestyle and with the onset of the first world war the family had to make the decision to sell the house in 1912. It was brought by a wealthy cotton trader from Liverpool and was succeeded by his three unmarried daughters who lived their lives out in the Hall and were well known characters in the local community. Eventually the house was put up for sale in 1986 for only the second time in its two hundred year history, but by which time it was seriously run down and neglected.

The house has since been owned by several families and was initially sub-divided with two substantial houses being created and known as the East and West Wings. It has undergone a major restoration and refurbishment and is now considered in good order throughout while retaining its original features.

Accommodation

Llanerchydol is a glorious Grade II* listed mansion house of picturesque Gothic Revival style, commanding immense views of the Montgomeryshire and Shropshire Hills. A house of great stature, it stands surrounded by mature gardens and beautiful Repton parkland established during the 19th Century. The house, which has undergone a complete programme of refurbishment over the last twenty years, is noted in its listing as being a "house with a fine interior".

The principal facades of the house are ashlar faced under a slate roof recessed behind parapets and small towers. The main house also known as the East Wing, houses the formal entertaining rooms and bedroom suites, with beautiful high moulded ceilings, wide mullion windows, stunning marble fireplaces and polished floors. This part of the house has an easy flow of rooms centred round an impressive hallway from where a cantilevered staircase is lit by a stained glass window depicting the Pugh family crest. The drawing room is particularly notable, being light and elegant with a central dividing arch with octagonal pilasters with capitals. The dining room has an ornate ceiling and cornice and has a listed wallpaper above a lincrusta dado.

Upstairs the elegant bedrooms include Lady Angela, The Pugh and Peacock suites. Each room retains its former character with original fireplaces while offering the comfort of bathrooms and shower rooms. They all benefit from stunning views. The main bathroom has a cast iron 6' bath especially commissioned for a particularly tall member of the Verden family.

A charming three bay orangery connects to the two parts of the house. The orangery contains a kumquat tree dating back to the victorian era. The West wing is more informal but still has the benefit of large rooms with high ceilings and the Victorian kitchen contains a fine Coalbrookdale Company Range. While the house has recently been lived in by two families, the present owners have lived in it as one. To the back of the house is a staff apartment with a separate access.

Llanerchydol has been a much loved house over the centuries and while it has the size and scale for large scale entertaining, it has the intimacy and comfort of every day family living.

The driveway winds up through glorious rolling parkland before entering the gardens of Llanerchydol and passing through banks of rhododendron, azalea and sweeping lawns. To the front of the house is a large parking area above the Parterre and from where magical views of the surrounding hills can be enjoyed. Beyond is the rustic clock tower and an archway through which is the cobbled courtyard, the coach houses and stables. The courtyard would have considerable potential for alternative use. An area of woodland to the back of the house hides an ivy clad gun room, a games room, an ice house and the old hunt kennels.

This historic landscape was created by renowned architect John Repton. Rolling grassland is interspersed by wonderful spread oaks and specimen trees framing beautiful vistas of the hills beyond. The Parkland extending to about 61 acres is let to a long term agricultural tenant.

Situation

Llanerchydol is approached up a wonderful long and winding driveway from its entrance close to
Welshpool town centre, passing the former estate owned rail station from where narrow guage steam engines still run up the valley to Llanfair. The drive continues up through stunning Repton Parkland and the house is eventually revealed standing in a commanding, elevated, but sheltered position.

Totally rural in outlook, Llanerchydol has breathtaking views over parkland and beyond to the
surrounding hills of the Montgomery/Shropshire borderlands. This is an area of great beauty and
timelessness, yet the house is within a mile of the attractive market town of Welshpool with its
modern day conveniences including a wide range of shops and amenities.

The area is noted for its excellent schools in both the independent and state sectors including
Packwood Haugh, Moreton Hall, Oswestry School, Ellesmere College and Shrewsbury High
School. Oswestry, Chester, Shrewsbury and Midland centres are within daily commuting distance
with the M54 providing easy access to the National motorway network. Welshpool Airfield is
nearby and regional airports include Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool. Welshpool Railway
station is 2 miles away.

Directions

From Shrewsbury take the A458 to Welshpool. At the first roundabout take the first exit and after a short distance turn right signposted to A458 to Dolgellau. Continue for approximately 1 mile and turn right signposted A458 to Dolgellau and Machynlleth. Continue round the Welshpool town centre and on reaching the roundabout with the A458 and A490, take the third exit A490 towards Oswestry. Continue for approx 50 metres and the driveway to Llanerchydol Hall will be found on the left. Proceed up the drive through the parkland and the driveway brings you to the front of the house.