Glandyfi, Machynlleth, SY20

The Castle

This impressive castle has been vastly updated and improved by the current owners, with no expense spared, to create a comfortable and welcoming country home with spacious and flexible living accommodation. Built in the early 19th Century on the site of an existing ruin, it was designed to showcase the Regency Gothic style so popular during the Romantic Aesthetic Movement. Perched upon a hillside above the Dyfi Estuary, the castle is surrounded by lush woodland with mountain views behind and estuary and shoreline* views in front. The castle overlooks a site of special scientific interest with the Snowdonia National Park beyond.

The castle has been meticulously renovated, combining elegance and grandeur with modern comforts. Outside, there are a wealth of original architectural details including mullion windows, towers, buttresses and chimneys. Inside the detail continues and includes marble fireplaces, 2 oak panelled entrance halls and a double staircase made in the “Strawberry Hill” Gothic style. In contrast, the 10 designer bathrooms are very contemporary. The Castle benefits from an efficient bio-mass zoned heating and hot water system with an alternative full oil system if required.

The castle, which is built of local stone and slate, is approached up a long winding driveway through woodland peppered with huge Camelias, Azalias and Species Rhodedendrons, before sweeping into a gravelled parking area which affords the first impressive view of the towering castle and the striking views beyond. It is a breathtaking experience.

The Castle - Ground Floor

The castle is entered through the original heavy, studded front door which leads into the oak panelled entrance and inner reception hall. The large drawing room if filled with natural light having windows on two sides, and the oak panelled dining room features a stunning Regency moulded ceiling. The octagonal library is utterly delightful with a pink marble fireplace and a Nash influenced coved ceiling with Gothic style windows framing the spectacular views beyond. The castle also offers a good size family sitting room – again with a marble fireplace, a large contemporary kitchen with 4 built in ovens and a bespoke curved granite work surface, and a stunning glass-roofed atrium which is perfect for dining and entertaining on a grand scale.

The Castle - First Floor

A fine Gothic oak double staircase leads to the first floor which includes five double bedrooms and five bathrooms, all attractively designed and individually styled. Most notable is the principal suite with its high ceilings, deep windows, fireplace and decorative ceiling mouldings. The octagonal bathroom has a circular Jacuzzi bath with views over the estuary as well as a large walk in shower and ladies and gents washbasins.

The Castle - Second Floor

The second floor provides further accommodation with four bedrooms and four bathrooms – all individually and attractively designed. One of the bedrooms has access to a rooftop turret where the spectacular views of the surrounding area can be enjoyed. There is also a tenth en suite bedroom which is independently accessed from the courtyard.

The Cottage

A detached, quaint, two bedroom cottage sitting at the entrance to the castle drive has been renovated to provide an option for multi-generational living, holiday letting or guest accommodation. The cottage briefly comprises; sitting room, open kitchen, one bedroom, one box room and a bathroom.

Seller Insight

The current owners bought Glandyfi Castle in 2007 and spent the first few years bringing it into the twenty first century whilst meticulously retaining all the important original features. We asked the sellers what are the best points about living at Glandyfi Castle and we list their answer below:

* ‘Sitting on the terrace and watching the bats and the sunsets on a warm summers night.’

* ‘ Hosting parties of over a hundred guests – outside during the summer and inside with roaring log fires during the winter. The kitchen makes an excellent cocktail bar!’

* ‘Being able to walk from the grounds straight into the hills and not seeing another person for miles.’

* ‘Being able to be in London before lunch and back home before midnight on the train.’

* ‘Being able to walk the dogs on Ynyslas beach and not seeing another soul in the winter.’

* ‘ Being able to watch the New York Met opera productions live at Aberystwyth Arts Centre for less than £20.’

* ‘Machynlleth Wednesday Market with all the fresh local produce.’

* ‘Eating at Coast Restaurant in Aberdyfi.’

Outside

The castle is approached via a sweeping driveway through its own landscaped gardens and grounds. To the rear of the castle there are three terraced lawns surrounded by well-established and colourful shrubberies and some herbaceous borders. The middle lawn has an ornamental pond. The front of the castle has a large paved terrace area from which to take advantage of the spectacular views and to enjoy al fresco dining whilst watching sunsets over the estuary. Within the grounds there is a hidden walled kitchen garden just waiting to be restored. There are various paddocked areas suitable for grazing animals and, adjacent to the castle, further land giving direct access to the Dyfi estuary. This includes a level gravel area and an old boat shed. The property extends to 41 acres in total and includes a selection of outbuildings.

Outbuildings

Beyond the castle a traditional courtyard houses a range of buildings. These include a laundry, a storage loft, workshops and a garage. An oak Gazebo sits in grounds to the east of the castle. This area has been used for bespoke weddings in the past and is an ideal setting for such a commercial venture. There are some former stone barns to the south of the castle that could potentially be converted into residential or other usable spaces, subject to the necessary planning consents. Additionally, a large, modern agricultural barn located discreetly away from the main residence provides ample storage.

Location

Glandyfi Castle is situated above the small village of Glandyfi and adjacent to the slightly larger village of Eglwys Fach with its church, village hall and active community.

The area is surrounded by rolling hills with views across the estuary towards the charming village of Aberdyfi and the RSPB Ynyshir Bird Reserve. There is an abundance of wildlife throughout and the Dyfi Osprey project is nearby.

The market town of Machynlleth is approximately 5.5 miles away and has become a true cultural hub in recent years. The seaside town of Aberystwyth is approximately 13 miles away and has a wide range of shops and amenities including a University and a vibrant Arts Centre which shows live screenings of world class music and theatre productions.

The whole area is perfect for outdoor activities such as walking, cycling, riding and sailing with a beautiful coast-line graced with sandy beaches and picturesque harbours. There are several golf courses nearby including Aberdyfi, Aberystwyth, Borth and Harlech. There are also exceptional pubs and restaurants to enjoy. These range from the double Michelin starred Ynyshir Hall to small Artisan Coffee shops.

For those travelling from London and the Midlands there are regular train services to Machynlleth and Aberdyfi.

History

Glandyfi Castle was built between 1812 and 1818 as a fashionable Regency home for a Shrewsbury born lawyer, George Jeffreys and his new bride Justina Scott.

The Jeffreys family came to the area C.1760 when Edward Jeffreys and Henry Bowdler – both of Shrewsbury, bought a partnership in the revived lead smelting mills at Garreg. In 1792 Edward Jeffreys bought part of the Ynyshir Estate which contained the site of the castle, and following his death in 1801, the estate eventually passed to his great nephew George (born 1789).

Justina Scott was born Justina McMurdo in Jamaica in 1786. She was the daughter of Captain Charles McMurdo of the 3rd East Kent Regiment and his mistress Susan Leslie who is recorded as a ‘free mulatto’. Justina was brought to Wales as the adopted daughter of the intellectual Edward Scott of Tywyn, and his second wife Louisa Maria de Saumaise . Justina was raised as a lady and highly educated (unusual for a woman of her day).

History continued

George and Justina moved in intellectual and literary circles. They were friends with many of the Romantic poets and writers of their day and Thomas Love Peacock married at Eglwys Fach church where George acted as best man, and enjoyed a wedding reception at the castle. To artists and writers at that time the castle would have been seen as the height of fashion during the Romantic Movement.

Glandyfi Castle is a Grade II listed building and the only one in the county with crenellations. Evidence for a pre-existing building is obscure but there are certain blocked openings that may suggest elements of rebuilding rather than a completely new structure. There is no record of the original architect although J.H.Haycock of Shrewsbury is widely thought to have been involved.

In 1906 the castle was sold out of the Jeffreys family for the first time and has since had a succession of owners, the most notable being Sir Bernard Docker of BSA Motorcycles and his wife Norah. Their ownership resulted in a scandal due to the misuse of company funds.

Summary

With its wealth of history, modern, comfortable living accommodation and superb location, this property sale offers a rare opportunity not to be missed and lends itself to a variety of different purchasers.

Whilst making a first-class family home, the castle and grounds have the potential to provide extra income if desired, either through accommodation, events such as Weddings and Courses, or through equestrian pursuits with direct outriding and the potential to create stables from some of the outbuildings (subject to relevant consents). Alternatively, it may suit someone with an interest in fishing, boats or watersports given that part of the land borders the estuary and there is a jetty in place already – waiting to be restored. The opportunities are vast.

Additional Information

Services: Mains water and electricity. Private drainage.

Heating: Biomass central heating with oil fired ‘back up’ system.

Council Tax: Glandyfi Castle - Band I. Castle Lodge – Band B.

Tenure: Freehold.

Broadband: (Information taken from checker.ofcom.org.uk)

Standard - 17 Mpbs (highest download speed) - 1 Mpbs (highest upload speed)

Superfast - 49 Mpbs (highest download speed) - 8 Mpbs (highest upload speed)

Mobile coverage: Available (Information taken from checker.ofcom.org.uk)

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