Historic Mansion with Castle Stone on Sale for £1.5m
A historic mansion constructed using stone from Caerphilly Castle is currently on the market for £1.5 million after undergoing extensive renovation.
In 1583, special permission was granted by the Earl of Pembroke to extract materials from the nearby derelict Caerphilly Castle to aid in the construction of part of Y Fan, also known as Van Manor.
However, the Grade II-listed Tudor mansion itself fell into disrepair over time. By 2017, it was described as run-down, damp, and mouldy, with mushrooms growing inside the property.
New Owners Seek Change of Pace
At that point, a London-based couple decided to leave their busy city lives behind. They purchased the mansion for £750,000 with the intention of transforming it into a bed and breakfast.
"It was high pressure working in the city," said Christine Tallon, 62, a former lawyer. "We weren't spending a lot of time in our own house because we were either in the office or commuting to work."
Christine and her partner Adrian Cole, 68, a former finance director, left their home in Bexley, south-east London, in search of a slower pace of life.
"I blame Christine. She came across this place which was pretty run-down," Cole said.
Historical Significance of Caerphilly and Y Fan Mansion
The mansion is deeply connected to the history of Caerphilly, a site of importance for nobility over the centuries.
The rise of Prince of Wales Llywelyn ap Gruffudd prompted Marcher lord Gilbert de Clare to build a fortress for protection. He selected Caerphilly as the location and began constructing what would become the largest castle in Wales in 1268, second only to Windsor Castle in Great Britain.
Caerphilly Castle featured massive walls, towers, and gatehouses, covering 30 acres.
Following Llywelyn's death, the castle's defensive role diminished, and it was converted into a palatial residence complete with a hunting park and northern lake.
Ownership passed through various earls and descendants, but the castle declined during the 15th and 16th centuries.
Y Fan mansion dates back to 1529 and was the home of Edward Lewis, sheriff of Glamorgan and a prominent landowner.
In 1583, Edward's son Thomas Lewis negotiated with the then-owner of Caerphilly Castle, the Earl of Pembroke, to take stone from the largely abandoned castle for use in the mansion.
"You can actually see where it is [on the corners of the house]," said Tallon.
Renovation Journey
Cole emphasized that they were not initially seeking a renovation project but rather a property with potential to become a B&B. However, after viewing Y Fan eight times, they became enthusiastic about restoring what they described as "one of the most important houses in Caerphilly."
The renovation presented numerous challenges. The ceilings were so high that changing a light bulb required scaffolding. The mansion had 132 windows, all needing refurbishment. Additionally, they had to address damp and mould issues as well as mushrooms growing inside.
Despite lacking renovation experience, the couple began work in 2018.
"We weren't looking for a renovation project, just somewhere with the potential of being turned into a B&B," Cole said.
They initially planned to open the B&B in summer 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed their plans. The property finally opened with seven rooms in May 2021.
Current Status and Future Plans
While the couple have not disclosed the total renovation costs, they are pleased with the restoration and have now placed the mansion on the market for £1.5 million.
"We aren't getting any younger and hospitality is much harder work than a lot of people think it is. It is constant," Tallon said.
"It's time for someone with a lot of energy to take over the mantle."
