Llanfrynach, Brecon, Powys, LD3

Grade II* listed Georgian Gothic Manor with five sought-after luxury holiday cottages in the grounds and various outbuildings offering a wealth of personal and business potential.

Description

Ty Mawr’s design, features, and ownership are of notable provenance, and are included in listing records for special consideration of this magnificent mansion house. Remnants existing from the 14th and 15th centuries, including sections of fortified medieval wall, were absorbed into a grand early 19th century creation of Regency Gothic inspiration. Nestled into about 17.5 acres of immaculate parkland surroundings, the six-bedroom central house is accompanied by an assemblage of outbuildings that have been converted into successful luxury holiday accommodations.

With over 7,000 sq ft, there is a majestic scale to the house, and yet the thoughtful layout and centralisation of the breathtaking staircase and hall, offers wonderful connectivity and creates a feeling of intimacy. Jewel-toned walls juxtapose with crisp adorned plaster, set against the warm wood hues of moulded architraves, panelled doors, and elaborate carvings. It is a striking example of Strawberry Hill Gothic architecture.

House
The heritage of the house immediately resonates, with elevations of Bath stone and render and evidence of earlier gable extensions under a Welsh slate roof. A commanding central two-storey porch and arched entryway proudly displays a carved shield at its apex. There are several charming details of stonework, including hoodmoulds to the lateral and arched windows featuring allegorical headpieces, incised crosses, and the signature of the style, ogee-pointed recesses, doors and windows across all levels. The French doors and sash windows throughout have intricately intersected glazing bars, multipaned light arrangements and further interest with cusped quatrefoils.

Inside, the main hall is a resplendent welcome and extends the full depth to the timber gabled south porch and another statement ogee glazed arch with intersecting tracery. There is, quite simply, an element to marvel at in every direction. The ceiling is a ribbed, vaulted masterpiece of perspective, with bay after bay of elegant plasterwork columns, corbels, and gilded bosses.

The sitting room to the immediate right of the front door offers a spacious and bold area, punctuated with deep-set arched windows and their sophisticated woodwork. There is also a multi-fuel fire and marble fireplace.Opposite, a fabulous boot room and wc.

To the southwest corner of the hall is the drawing room and its abundance of adornments, paying homage to the themes of John Nash’s work. The deep-set ogee French doors have moulded panelled window linings and shutters, alongside decorative skirting and a pair of embellished gothic doors. The enriched cornice is a delight of interlaced vines, continuing the natural motifs and animal iconography of the plasterwork elsewhere, and linking, as the room does, to the grounds beyond the spectacular windows. With afternoon and evening exposure, and doors leading to the gardens and outside seating, this is a stunning room for late in the day relaxation.
Splendour continues in a dining room, of similar aesthetics to the drawing room, with further retained gothic touches in an attractive cornice, ceiling rose, recessed panelled ogee French doors, marble fireplace, and whimsical buffet-niche with plaster crockets.

To the remainder of the ground floor, the current kitchen enjoys an outlook over the grounds. It has an Aga, a good assortment of fitted cabinets, and connects to a study, also with pastoral views. Essential functional spaces to be found nearby include the integrated garage, utility and boiler room, and a pantry next to access down to further storage in the cellar.

Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent has been obtained for a significant extension to the rear courtyard that would provide a substantial L-shaped contemporary kitchen and dining area, conversion to incorporate the later garage addition into a larger utility room and wc and add a new internal stair for further storage capacity in the first-floor of the extension. This potential would redefine the East elevation and offer the opportunity to create a bespoke imprint, adding a new chapter to the house’s storied history.

Returning to the stair hall, there is a continuation of the excellent ribbed vaulted ceiling, carved wooden tracery and embellishments. Square balusters with quatrefoil discs and cusping ascend to a landing complete with gilded arches, bosses, and corbels, stained glass and a glazed cupola. A petite balcony overlooks the main hall, with further stairs turning and rising to levels within the first floor.

There are scenic views across the gardens and grounds from each of the six bedrooms, and they also enjoy elevated ceiling heights, generous proportions, and characterful features such as moulded architraves, beams, and the superb window facets.

The principal bedroom is a regal size, with dressing area and ample space to personalise your very own sanctuary. Two of the guest bedrooms have en suite shower or bathroom and there is scope with pre-planning to adapt bedroom four, and bedroom six, for the provision of en suite bathrooms. The bedrooms are presently served by a good-sized family bathroom.

The house extends to a voluminous, attic. In need of renovation, it has most enchanting echoes of the venerated qualities of the Gothic style seen on the lower floors and could be purposed in any number of ways.

Grounds
On arrival to Ty Mawr, a winding approach road embraces the tree line and leads to the North entrance, which overlooks an extraordinary expanse of level parkland.
Concealed by the soaring heights of a verdant border of mature trees that fully envelope the entrance and perimeter, the grounds at Ty Mawr offer an immense sense of privacy across the acreage.

There is a sublime arrangement of ornamental gardens, with lushly planted rotary beds, topiary and manicured lawns close to the house. You can follow the medieval castellated wall to the arboretum and orchard or head across the fields into the copse. It is an arcadian playground and one that has been well managed and maintained.

A recently repaired and refurbished barn, with waney edge wood-clad exterior offers machinery storage and, with running power, would make an ideal workshop. There are also four adjacent wood stores.

Cottages
Former outbuildings of the estate have undergone an impressive transformation into a delightful collection of holiday accommodations. With pristine renovation and re-design to give each their own character and acknowledge their historic use, the five self-catering properties are 5-star rated and have won multiple tourism awards.

Each of the one and two bedroom cottages enjoy private patios and garden areas within the old courtyard, walled garden, or croquet lawn. Accessed via their own private driveway and with ample parking, including the provision of EV charging and enclosed bike store, there is equitable seclusion for both the guests, and the main house residents.

With a robust annual turnover, owners would also find it within their purview to increase the accommodation offerings courtesy of Planning Permission and Listed Building Consent in place for a sixth cottage. More information on the properties can be found at

Indicative occupancy and accounts available on request.

Location

Ty Mawr is located in the pretty village of Llanfrynach, just 3.4 miles south of the large market town of Brecon. It is a tranquil setting, offering easy access for walks, bike rides, and hikes in the surrounding dramatic scenery of the celebrated Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park.

Excellent road connections provide direct access to south Wales and the capital, Cardiff, h via the A470 (45 miles), giving access to the M4 corridor leading to Bristol and London. The English border and the literary haven of Hay-on-Wye is just 17 miles away and the lively historic town of Abergavenny is approximately 18 miles away.

Square Footage: 7,014 sq ft