Ancient pub goes up for sale after bankruptcy
WALES’ second-oldest pub has gone up for sale after it closed its doors nine months ago.
The freehold of the thatched Old House Inn – established in Llangynwyd, near Maesteg, eight centuries ago – has been put on the market after it failed to reopen.
The last tenant, Richard Stephens-David, who ran the pub after his father Richard David and grandfather Ivor David before him, was declared bankrupt in the High Court of Justice in London on September 11 last year following a petition by HM Revenue and Customs.
At the time, a spokeswoman for pub owners Enterprise Inns said: “We would like to reassure members of the local community in Llangynwyd that we aim to have the Olde (sic) House reopen and trading as soon as possible so they can continue to enjoy this historic pub.”
The Old House is only slightly younger than the Skirrid Inn, near Abergavenny, which dates back to 1100 and is regarded as Wales’ oldest pub. The Old House has a long and distinguished history and has enjoyed a high profile over the years. It has a long association with the new year tradition of the Mari Lwyd, Grey Mare.
The decorated horse’s head is brought to the pub every New Year’s Eve.
And it is connected with the traditional Welsh love story, The Maid of Cefn Ydfa, based on the illfated romance of lowly poet Wil Hopcyn and wealthy Ann Thomas from Llangynwyd.
In 2001, then-landlord Richard David was awarded the Good Pub Guide’s prize for the Best Whiskey Pub in the UK as the inn offered 350 different varieties.
The Old House has also featured in the Good Pub and Campaign for Real Ale’s Good Pub guides and Egon Ronay’s guide for its restaurant.
Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and David Bowie have also been listed among its patrons in the past.
And in August 2012, Mr Stephens-David also welcomed Ann Romney, wife of then American presidential candidate Mitt Romney, to the Old House Inn while she was filming a television programme about her Welsh roots.
Marketed by chartered surveyors Fleurets from its Bristol office, the grade II-listed Old House is being described to prospective owners as “occupying an idyllic location” and “benefiting from breathtaking views over the Nant y Gadlys Valley”.
The property encompasses a site of almost four acres including a large car park, beer garden, paddock and decked area.
Inside there is a main bar, conservatory and restaurant.
The particulars of the property state that the fixtures and fittings that remain on the premises at the time of completion will be included in the sale.
No details of the asking price for the freehold have been revealed but it has a current rateable value of £28,500.