The scenic valley of the River Teifi, which flows for 75 miles from its supply deep within the Cambrian Mountains to its estuary in Cardigan Bay, is a panorama of steep hills, lush pasture, wooded gorges and streams and rivers, traditionally owned by a comparatively small variety of landed-gentry households who socialised and inter-married inside their milieu. Between the Seventeenth and nineteenth centuries, the rich squires of West Wales constructed grand nation mansions on their estates alongside the Teifi valley in rural Carmarthenshire, predominantly between Llandysul within the east and Cardigan within the west.
Although many have lengthy since disappeared, a notable survivor is imposing, Grade II-listed Dolhaidd Mansion, three miles from historic Newcastle Emlyn, which sits on the confluence of the Teifi and the Bargoed stream, the ability supply of the valleys’ many woollen mills from historic occasions till their decline after the First World War. Now on the market through Fine & Country West Wales at a guide price of £2.5 million, the impeccably renovated home, set in 25 acres of superb countryside, is supported by a flourishing holiday-let enterprise established by homeowners Andrew and Caroline Ashley, who moved there from London in 1999.
(Image credit score: Fine & Country)
According to its CADW itemizing, Dolhaidd — that means ‘barley meadow’ — was purchased by David Lewis of close by Llys-newydd from one David Havard, whose Norman ancestors came to visit with William the Conqueror and whose grandfather is alleged to have constructed the primary, Sixteenth-century home on the positioning. That David Lewis, who was Sheriff of Carmarthenshire in 1715 and mayor of Cardigan in 1736, was succeeded at Dolhaidd by David Edward Lewes Lloyd, High Sheriff of Cardiganshire in 1777, who died in 1818.
The 1838 Tithe Map reveals Dolhaidd as being owned and occupied by James Richard Lewes Lloyd, for whom a lot of the home was in all probability rebuilt. He died in 1858, after which the property was rented out. In the 1860s, the Elliot household, as tenants, remodelled the façade, including ornamental ironwork and dormer home windows. An additional remodelling of the rear of the home was carried out by a Capt Newland, who lived there from 1875 till no less than 1910.
As the current homeowners level out: ‘Although Dolhaidd Mansion currently presents an early-Victorian façade, most of its interior is early to mid Georgian and shows the influence of John Nash, who in addition to designing a number of major country houses elsewhere in the Principality, built several townhouses and smaller country houses for the local gentry of West Wales between 1793 and 1796.’ In the twentieth century, Dolhaidd Mansion went right into a gradual decline and was ultimately transformed into flats, earlier than being rescued from catastrophe by new homeowners within the Nineteen Seventies, since when work to protect the material of the home has continued.
Most of that work has been carried out by the current homeowners themselves, as Mr Ashley explains: ‘Having two older brothers who had houses I could work on, I managed to develop a wide range of DIY skills at an early age. Fortunately, Dolhaidd Mansion was quite liveable when we bought it.
‘Since then, it’s been largely a matter of fixed upkeep, though we managed to exchange the outdated home windows with environment friendly new double-glazed home windows earlier than the home was listed in 2001. More not too long ago, it took me fairly some time to pressure-wash and paint your entire home.’
He provides: ‘Three generations of our family have lived at Dolhaidd during the past 26 years, but, having built up the holiday-letting business, my wife and I are now looking to retire, leaving Dolhaidd Mansion in good order, ready for its next new custodian.’
Built of the available native stone and slate, Dolhaidd’s pristine black-and-white Victorian façade is in hanging distinction to the colorful Georgian inside, which gives greater than 9,000sq ft of stylish dwelling house, together with 5 reception rooms, eight bedrooms and 4 loos.
Four self-contained vacation cottages, cleverly transformed from authentic farm buildings, present a helpful revenue stream, with many patrons returning 12 months after 12 months.
A group of traditionally important outbuildings, together with a Grade II-listed steady block, coach home and an authentic Seventeenth-century ice home, provide heritage curiosity and potential for additional growth, the homeowners counsel.
Reputedly often called ‘queen of game-fishing rivers’, the Teifi is dwelling to all species of recreation fish, together with salmon, brown trout and sea trout.
The Dolhaidd property has a superb stretch of personal, primarily single-bank fishing, with water various from deep swimming pools to quick runs and quiet glides, offering fantastic fishing for all methods in most situations.
Dolhaidd Mansion is on the market through Fine & Country West Wales at a guide price of £2.5 million — see more details.