Builth Wells, Powys

A diverse and beautifully positioned country estate situated in the Irfon Valley in mid-Wales with principal residence and secondary accommodation.



The estate offers significant sporting, amenity, leisure and forestry potential with holiday let accommodation, single and double bank fishing on the River Irfon and additional sporting rights over adjoining land.

In all extending to about 335.56 acres (135.80 hectares)

The Cefnllysgwynne Estate
• 10-bedroom principal residence with a 1-bedroom annexe, offering 10,150 sq.ft. of living accommodation
• 2-bedroom detached cottage offering secondary accommodation
• 4-bedroom detached farmhouse with outstanding views across the Irfon Valley
• 2-bedroom holiday let with outstanding views across the Irfon Valley
• About 99.30 acres (40.19 hectares) of grassland
• About 232.10 acres (93.93 hectares) of mixed commercial and amenity woodland
• 4,302 metres of single and double bank fishing on the River Irfon
• 395m of additional Fishing Rights on the River Irfon
• Additional sporting rights over 378.26 acres (153.08 hectares)
• Vacant possession available, subject to a number of residential occupation contracts, short term farm business tenancies and holdover requirements.

Available as a whole or alternatively in up to 13 lots.

Situation & description
The Cefnllysgwynne Estate is situated just 3.4 miles from the market town of Builth Wells in mid-Wales. Occupying a prominent position within the Irfon Valley, the estate is easily accessible, whilst commanding a private and unique position with unrivalled views along the valley and offering a rare multi-faceted country estate with significant diversification opportunities.

The local market town of Builth Wells provides a wide range of amenities,
leisure facilities and supermarket to local and nearby residents, including a primary and secondary school, post office, church, convenience stores, sports facilities, public houses and of course the Royal Welsh Showground.

Transport links are excellent with both the A470 and A483 (2.9 miles) providing access to Llandrindod Wells to the north and Llandovery to the southwest.

The Cefnllysgwynne Estate provides significant amenity and lifestyle appeal and will be of interest to a wide range of agricultural, lifestyle, conservation, sporting, commercial and investment purchasers.

The estate comprises a 335.56 acres (135.80 hectares) mixed country estate with principal residence which would benefit from a scheme of refurbishment and renovation. Alternatively, subject to the necessary permissions, a total redevelopment of the property is entirely possible. The house is not listed.

The principal residence is of significant stature with views across the Irfon Valley. The house extends over three floors and commands an enviable position, with a myriad of historic features which will be of interest to many prospective purchasers. Private houses of this nature and calibre are rarely available on the market, especially unlisted, and with such significant scope for modernisation and refurbishment to create a substantial family dwelling in the most sought after location.

The secondary accommodation comprises a 2-bedroom cottage adjacent to the principal house offering excellent staff or additional family accommodation. In addition, a let 4-bedroom farmhouse and 2-bedroom holiday let, provide valuable income and are situated away from the principal house ensuring privacy whilst retaining a good, diversified estate makeup.

The woodland and forestry plantations across the estate, whilst unmanaged in recent years, provide scope for an incoming purchaser to benefit from future timber extraction with generous tax reliefs from timber sales. The woodland and forestry form the basis of what, until recently, was a family High Bird Shoot, but also with duck flighting and driving opportunities.

For a compact mid-Wales country estate, the sporting potential and existing sporting operations provide a significant draw and could be fully managed and enjoyed in hand or let on a more commercial basis with attractive income opportunities.

The river fishing on the Irfon has provided both the Vendors family and visiting anglers with great enjoyment over the years with trout, grayling and a small number of salmon, caught yearly, with additional coarse (chub and dace) fishing.

The Vendors hold rights to graze certain livestock over common land to the south of the estate. Such rights will be transferred to the incoming purchaser/s where possible. Further details available from the joint selling agents.

Lotting
The Estate is offered for sale as a whole or in up to 13 lots as briefly described below, and as identified on the lotting plan.

Lot 1 – Cefnllysgwynne House and grounds, Cefn Cottage, farm buildings, stabling and about 17.74 acres of grassland
The principal house comprises a three-storey stone built residence with the most enviable views across the Irfon Valley. The house, originating as a traditional Welsh long house, has seen later Victorian extensions and now offers a substantial residence for refurbishment and modernisation. The house previously incorporated two annexes, albeit one is now incorporated into the main residence.

The lower ground floor comprises the independent annexe (with separate entrance) with kitchen, sitting room, bathroom, bedroom and storeroom. The principal house on the lower ground floor comprises entrance hall, utility room, billiards room, main hallway with sweeping staircase to upper ground floor, wc and adjoining washroom and living room, connected by a service corridor to a disused boiler room, wine cellar, stairs to kitchen on upper ground floor and a lower ground floor exit door to a gravelled parking area and a lean-to housing a biomass wood-pellet boiler for the heating and hot water system for the main house, annex and Cefn Cottage.

The upper ground floor comprises entrance to the front garden with former grass tennis court, entrance hall, kitchen with dining area, snug, formal dining room, hallway with sweeping staircase to second floor, drawing room leading to balcony overlooking the garden, a double bedroom and en suite bathroom. The original house to the east now provides a wc room, bathroom, two bedrooms, kitchen and porch.

The second floor comprises large landing area, twin aspect master bedroom with en suite, family bathroom, separate wc and two further bedrooms within the Victorian extension. The original house on the second floor comprises four further bedrooms, a storeroom which could provide a further bedroom, airing cupboard and attic room.

The house retains many original features and benefits from a large garden to the front façade with mature beds and shrubs but is laid mainly to lawn.

To the rear of house is a large, gravelled parking area with access to the boiler house incorporating the biomass wood pellet boiler.

Along the driveway to the house is a former stable block of stone construction with brick rear elevation under a slate roof. The stable block comprises a number of loose boxes, tack room/ workshop with loft over. A small solar PV system is roof mounted and serves the main house.

To the southwest of the main house are a range of farm buildings comprising a timber framed, machinery and general store building under slate roof. Adjoining is a former lambing shed and general-purpose stores.

A traditional stone barn of single and part two storey construction adjoins Cefn Cottage and provides scope for alternative uses, subject to the necessary consents. The traditional building comprises a garage and a series of storerooms, including a staff lavatory.

Cefn Cottage comprises entrance hall, wc room with basin and shower, kitchen/diner, living room, storeroom, two bedrooms, family bathroom and adjoining first floor workshop.

The private driveway will be subject to rights of way for retained residential dwellings and other lots if sold separately, with maintenance provisions to be based on an ‘according to user’ basis.

Lot 2 – Pantyblodau, a 4-bedroom detached farmhouse with outstanding views across the Irfon Valley
The two-storey 19th Century detached farmhouse is of stone construction under a slate roof. The ground floor comprises rear porch leading to kitchen, open plan living room, front entrance hall, dining room and wc, with stairs to cellar containing an oil fired heating and hot water boiler. The first floor comprises three double bedrooms, a single bedroom and family bathroom. Private water supply connected.

Externally, there are a range of traditional stone buildings and pole barns incorporating stables and a separate field shelter. In addition, the property is offered with 2.76 acres of permanent pasture. This property provides an exciting equine opportunity.

Lot 3 – Hafod-y-Blodau Cottage, a 2-bedroom holiday let with outstanding views across the Irfon Valley
The two-storey 19th Century detached cottage is of stone construction, part rendered, under a slate roof. The cottage was converted to a very attractive and highly successful holiday let some years ago and offers privacy for visiting guests.

The ground floor comprises entrance porch, wc, fully fitted kitchen and sitting room with wood burning stove. The first floor comprises a large double bedroom, a smaller single bedroom, family bathroom and storeroom. Private water supply connected.

Lot 4 – About 138.27 acres of commercial and amenity woodland
Forming a large proportion the southern half of the estate, lot 4 comprises a ring-fenced mixed mature woodland, namely Pantyblodau Plantation and part of Gwar-allt Wood.

Access is available directly from the highway with HGV access and loading area to the northern boundary.

The woodland comprises a mixture of mature oaks accounting for circa. 30% of the woodland coverage, various mixed conifers and mixed broadleaves. There is evidence of selective thinning of the oak in previous years.

There is very good network of internal tracks, some overgrown and requiring maintenance but with very good potential to open up the woodland for a more commercially managed holding.

The woodland has previously formed part of a high bird shoot, with an elevation difference of some 140 metres from the highway to the northern boundary, rising to the southern boundary.

Lot 5 – About 30.07 acres of woodland
Comprising two distinct parcels of mixed age woodland including a variety of oak, ash, sycamore and cherry with some poplars. There are small number of Christmas trees throughout which have formed part of a small trading business in recent years.

Accessed in part across lot 1 and across lot 9 the woodland would require some access improvements for any future commercial scale timber extraction.

The western block runs along the lower parts of the Irfon valley adjoining the river, providing exceptional amenity value. The woodland is predominantly north facing on a steep bank running down towards the river.

Lot 6 – About 33.04 acres of mixed woodland with river frontage
A ring-fenced mixed age woodland comprising a variety of oak, ash, sycamore and cherry with some additional species throughout.

Accessed through Lot 1 and 5 via a farm track, the access is suitable for smaller farm and forestry vehicles.

There is small stream running along the western boundary.

Lot 7 – About 30.72 acres of woodland
Comprising five distinct parcels of mixed age woodland with highway access. The woodland provides five independent woodland compartments of varying species and age with river frontage to the western most parcel.

The woodland parcels provide significant amenity appeal and may suit some small-scale leisure operations subject to the necessary consents.

Lot 8 – About 25.82 acres of grassland
A ring-fenced parcel of predominantly grazing land to the southern edge of the estate, with access via a right of way and bordered by livestock proof fencing in the most part.

Let under a farm business tenancy to 30th September 2025, the land has historically been used for livestock grazing and is undulating in nature. Access for adjoining lots will be reserved over lot 8 unless sold together. Private water supply connected.

Lot 9 – About 26.29 acres of grassland
A ring-fenced parcel of gently north facing grazing land, suitable for mowing in the most part and let under a farm business tenancy to 30th September 2025.

Accessed from the public highway to the southern boundary, the land has been well maintained and provides a very good quality grassland holding which is well fenced. Private water supply connected.

Lot 10 – About 13.76 acres of grassland
A ring-fenced parcel of gently north facing grazing land, suitable for mowing in the most part and let under a farm business tenancy to 30th September 2025.

Accessed from the public highway along the main driveway to lot 1, the land has been well maintained and provides a very good quality grassland holding which is well fenced. Private water supply connected.

Lot 11 – About 12.98 acres of grassland
Two field parcel comprising riverside grazing land with frontage to the River Irfon.

A very secluded holding with significant amenity appeal.

Accessed through Lot 1 and 5 via a farm track, the access is suitable for agricultural vehicles. Private water supply connected.

Lot 12 – Sporting rights over adjoining land extending to about 378.26 acres
Lot 12 comprises sporting rights held over third party land as shown hatched blue on the lotting plan. The rights vary in description but generally comprise the right to shoot and take all game, wildfowl and ground game with rights of access. The rights generally require the holder to not cause any unnecessary damage to crops, fences and livestock with compensation provisions in favour of the freeholders. Further details are available from the joint selling agents.

Lot 13 – About 4,697 metres of single and double bank fishing on the River Irfon.
The fishing at Cefnllysgwynne is now principally let to visiting fly-fisherman on day tickets on a catch and release basis.

The river provides a series of varied and challenging beats and good numbers of trout and grayling have been caught over recent years, albeit no recent records have been retained. The occasional salmon is now taken, usually in the autumn months.

The riverbanks would benefit from some clearing to allow free access to all of the pools, but there is a wonderful variety of pools, runs and glides, providing a long run of tranquil and occasionally very productive fishing. Whilst managed quite extensively in recent years, an incoming purchaser could seek to commercialise the fishing arrangements or retain exclusively for personal and family use.

Land Type and Cropping History
The predictive Agricultural Land Classification map for Wales classifies the grassland predominantly as a mixture of grade 3a and 3b with a small area classified grade 4. Such classification shows a ‘good’ to ‘moderate’ soil grading with grade 4 described as poor-quality land.

According to Soilscape the soils to the north of the estate are described as freely draining slightly acid loamy soils. The soils across the steeper land to the south of the estate are described as freely draining acid loamy soils over rock.

All of the farmland is down to permanent grassland and is suited to livestock grazing and mowing in the most part. The land is let by way of two, one-year farm business tenancies.

Tenure, Possession and Method of Sale
The freehold of the property is for sale by private treaty, with vacant possession on completion (subject to the following agreements and all holdover requirements as detailed within these particulars).
1. Cefn Cottage: Occupation Contract
2. Pantyblodau: Occupation Contract
3. Grassland: One year Farm Business Tenancies expiring 30th September 2025
Please note: if the Estate is not sold as a whole, then the Vendors preference is to agree a sale of Lot 1 (independently or jointly with additional lots) prior to the sale of lots 2 – 13.

Rights of Way, Wayleaves, and Easements
A number of public rights of way and overhead electricity lines cross the estate.
The estate is sold subject to all rights of way, wayleaves, and easements whether or not they are defined in this brochure.
If the estate is sold in lots, then cross-rights and reservations will need to be reserved where required, for example for access, services and maintenance. We understand there are reservations in favour of third parties for water and drainage connections.

Plans and Boundaries
The plans within these particulars are based on Ordnance Survey data and provided for reference only. They are believed to be correct, but accuracy is not guaranteed. The purchaser shall be deemed to have full knowledge of all boundaries and the extent of ownership. Neither the Vendors nor the Vendor’s agents will be responsible for defining the boundaries or the ownership thereof.

Note: All areas, floor areas and dimensions stated are approximate and should not be relied upon. Potential purchasers are welcome to instruct an independent survey to verify these.

VAT
We understand the property has not been opted to tax and therefore VAT will not be chargeable in addition to the purchase price.

In the event that a sale of the property or any part thereof or any right to it becomes a chargeable supply for the purposes of VAT, such tax will be payable in addition to the sale price.

Mineral, Sporting, and Timber Rights
The sporting, mineral and timber rights will be transferred with the freehold title where owned.

Basic Payment Scheme and Sustainable Farming Incentive
The land has historically been registered for payments under the Basic Payment Scheme.

We are not aware of any environmental schemes affecting the land.

We are not aware of any woodland schemes currently affecting the woodland.

Holdover
The Vendors may require a period of holdover for Cefnllysgwynne House to remove contents depending on sale timing.,

Ingoing crop valuation
No ingoing crop valuation will be required.

Designations and Flood Risk
The River Irfon is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Part of the estate (principally lots 5, 6, 7 and 8) fall within flood zones 2 and 3.

Prospective purchasers are advised to take independent advice in respect of the SSSI designation and/or flood zones if they so wish.

Local Authority
Powys County Council.

Fixtures and fittings
The carpets, curtains and all other fixtures and fittings, garden ornaments, stone troughs and statuary are excluded. Some may be available by separate negotiation. The inclusion or exclusion of any agricultural fixtures and fittings is to be discussed.

Services
The estate is served by a private spring fed water supply running south to north through the estate and serving third party properties.

A borehole has been installed on the land just to the south of the main residence's garden as a secondary supply which also supplies third party properties.

Mains electricity is connected to all residential dwellings and the principal residence benefits from a small 10kw solar array on the stable block roof.

Heating to the principal residence and Cefn Cottage is via a wood pellet biomass boiler (with RHI payments received and contracted to 2034). Current payments amount to circa. £12,000 per annum.

Heating to Hafod-y-Blodau is via electric storage heaters. Heating to Pantyblodau is via an oil-fired central heating system.

Most of the agricultural land benefits from in field water supplies from the private spring fed system.

Fibre optic broadband connections are available to all residences giving an estimated fastest data download speed of around 1800 Mbps (data taken from checker.ofcom.org.uk on 11/07/2025). Actual service availability at the property or speeds received may be different.

We understand that the property is likely to have current mobile coverage (data taken from checker.ofcom.org.uk on 11/07/2025). Please note that actual services available may be different depending on the particular circumstances, precise location and network outages.

Prospective Purchasers must satisfy themselves as to the availability of services and any future connections. If the land is sold in lots, then cross-rights and reservations will need to be reserved where required, for services. Services may need to be split and sub-meters installed. None of the services, appliances or electrical systems have been tested by the selling agents.

Solicitors
Wilsons Solicitors LLP, Alexandra House, St Johns Street, Salisbury, SP1 2SB
FAO Annie Wills
Tel:

Viewings
Viewings are permitted strictly by prior appointment only through the joint selling agents, Fisher German LLP and J M Osborne.

Directions
From Builth Wells (Market Street), follow the A483 heading west before turning left onto Hospital Road. Head along Hospital Road for approximately 0.5 miles and then along the unnamed highway for a further 2.7 miles, before arriving at the access to Cefnllysgwynne House on your right-hand side.

Postcode – LD2 3HN

We highly recommend the use of What3words to locate the property.

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