Number of bedrooms: 13
Number of bathrooms: 5
Number of receptions: 4
Features
*4 reception rooms, 13 bedrooms *Orangery, observatory & study *2 bedroom apartment *Outbuildings & approx 73 acres *For sale as whole or in 2 lots
Situation
Llanerchydol is approached up a wonderful long and winding driveway from its entrance close to Welshpool town centre, passing the former estate owned rail station from where narrow guage steam engines still run up the valley to Llanfair. The drive continues up through stunning Repton Parkland and the house is eventually revealed standing in a commanding, elevated, but sheltered position.
Totally rural in outlook, Llanerchydol has breathtaking views over parkland and beyond to the surrounding hills of the Montgomery/Shropshire borderlands. This is an area of great beauty and timelessness, yet the house is within a mile of the attractive market town of Welshpool with its modern day conveniences including a wide range of shops and amenities.
The area is noted for its excellent schools in both the independent and state sectors including Packwood Haugh, Moreton Hall, Oswestry School, Ellesmere College and Shrewsbury High School. Oswestry, Chester, Shrewsbury and Midland centres are within daily commuting distance with the M54 providing easy access to the National motorway network. Welshpool Airfield is nearby and regional airports include Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool. Welshpool Railway station is 2 miles away.
Description
HISTORY
Llanerchydol was the seat of David Pugh, Esquire, a wealthy tea trader who built the present house in 1776 on the site of an original house which is thought to have been destroyed by fire. It remained in the Pugh family for 136 years during which time it underwent considerable alterations and adaptations, the most notable being in 1820 when the house was rebuilt introducing the romantic turrets and castellations and later in 1848 renowned architect Thomas Penson was consulted on the drawing room.
The family also placed great importance on landscaping the surrounding parkland by employing John Repton. The gardens, including a Japanese water garden and parterre, were introduced along with bold planting of trees in a grand style, the benefits of which can only now be truly appreciated. It was noted that during the Victorian era, the three great houses in the area, Powis Castle, Vaenor Park and Llanerchydol vied with each other for the most varied and gorgeous collection of flora and garden produce.
Towards the end of the Pugh family ownership parts of the estate which had amounted to some 2000 acres within a ring fence had to be sold off to maintain the house and their lifestyle and with the onset of the first world war the family had to make the decision to sell the house in 1912. It was brought by a wealthy cotton trader from Liverpool and was succeeded by his three unmarried daughters who lived their lives out in the Hall and were well known characters in the local community. Eventually the house was put up for sale in 1986 for only the second time in its two hundred year history, but by which time it was seriously run down and neglected.
The house has since been owned by several families and was initially sub-divided with two substantial houses being created and known as the East and West Wings. It has undergone a major restoration and refurbishment and is now considered in good order throughout while retaining its original features.
