Ferryside, Carmarthenshire, SA17

History of the house

The house and gardens were designed and built to fulfil the requirements of George Parry, a famous Welsh scientist who was significant in the history of the steel industry. He was the Works Chemist at Ebbw Vale steelworks in the 1850s and came very close to achieving worldwide fame for developing a new steel-making process. The steelworks were bought out by the English scientist Henry Bessemer, just before Parry could patent his invention. However, the deal made Parry a very wealthy man, and in 1868 he bought a plot in his favourite holiday village, Ferryside and had this house built as his retirement home. Determined to maximise his space, the house was built from the inside out between the existing houses either side. The house was originally called Steel Villa but was renamed Delfryn after Parry died, when it was bought by a local, Welsh family. Parry’s grave can be found at the top of the path which leads up past the church entrance at St Ishmael, Ferryside.

Entrance Hallway

Stairs rising off to the first floor, coved ceilings, exposed wooden flooring, double socket, Thermostat (controls heating temperature for reception rooms), access to cellar and doors to:-

Living Room

Double glazed Upvc window, original Victorian fireplace, tiled surround, hearth and fender, tiled inserts and fender wood surround and mantle over, coved ceilings, picture rail, 2 radiators. Working chimney, 4 double sockets, television cable. Solid wall insulation to front wall and re-plastered (2017)

Sitting Room

Double glazed Upvc window, Victorian feature fire place with wooden surround and mantle over, coved ceilings, picture rail, radiator, 4 double sockets, television cable.

Dining Room

French doors to the rear, exposed wooden flooring, Victorian fire place with mantle over, wooden surround and tiled feature, picture rail, coved ceilings, radiator, 3 double sockets.

Cloakroom

Window to side, low level WC, wash hand basin, tiled walls and flooring, radiator.

Kitchen/Breakfast Room

Having a range of base units with complimentary work top surfaces, Belfast sink with mixer tap over, oil fired Rayburn serving hot water, overhead airer, slate slab flooring, part tiled walls, original built-in cupboards, original wooden window to the rear. Original servants’ bell-board, 3 double sockets.

Utility Room

Access to courtyard and dear garden, original flagstone floor, original built-in cupboards, oil fired boiler with timer for central heating, 2 double sockets, plumbing for washing machine and dishwasher.

Pantry

Original flagstone floor, original built-in shelving, double socket.

First Floor

Stairs from hall lead to the half landing, original stained-glass window, door to small modern shower room.

Front Landing

Loft access (drop down ladder), doors to:

Family Bathroom

Double glazed sash window to front with estuary views. Bath, wash hand basin set in vanity unit, low level WC. Original airing cupboard (immersion heater inside – used to heat water when Rayburn is not lit), heated towel rail, shaver point.

Bedroom 1

Double glazed sash window to front with estuary views. Washbasin, Tv cable, 2 double sockets, radiator.

Bedroom 2

Sash window to rear, 2 double sockets, TV cable, telephone point, washbasin and a shaver point.

Bedroom 3

Double glazed sash window to front, original light fitting, 2 double sockets, radiator.

Bedroom 4

Sash window to rear, 2 double sockets, TV cable, original light fitting. Door to:

Bedroom 5/Study

Accessed from bedroom 4 with potential to convert to ensuite as it is above utility room/plumbing. Two double sockets.

Rear Garden

Productive - raised beds, and fruit trees (eating cherry, cooking apple, pear) and fruit bushes. Some specimen trees (Magnolias, flowering cherries, Liquid Amber, Corkscrew Hazel and Amelanchier) Top section has previously been used to keep chickens and bees. The very top part is level and there is enough room to create parking/garage (subject to planning) 2,000 litre oil tank in back garden (small lorry access via back service road) Rear gate leads to service road Service road is owned by Brondeg Cottage (last house on service road) – Delfryn has right of access, but no obligation to contribute towards maintenance of the road.

Front Garden

Mostly laid to lawn with shrubs and plants to borders. Front path of Italian Sandstone. Front window ledges are Welsh slate. Original iron front gate, secondary gate designed by Estuary Forge. Original slate steps to house (with cellar “windows”/ventilation underneath). Porch is an exact copy of the original, hedgerows mostly bay and Japanese quince.