House on the market after role in TV hit
SOME properties claim to be unique, but some truly are a ‘ one of a kind’ property proposition.
There are few houses that can offer space, location in a historic and pretty town, the chance to renovate a bundle of gorgeous original features and add value to its £375,000 asking price.
There are fewer still that can also claim to be part of a popular television programme.
The outside of this vast nine-bedroom, four-storey grade two listed house in Laugharne has been seen in the BBC Cymru Wales/s4c programme Keeping Faith/un Bore Mercher starring Eve Myles as Faith Howells.
The property appeared in the drama series as the outside of the office for the family-run firm Howells legal practice, where Faith worked as a solicitor.
The main front door, at the time displaying the name of the fictional company, is surely a popular ‘selfie’ spot for fans of the programme.
The historic property is called Globe House and is thought to have its origins dating back centuries.
Current owner Megan Aldrich has done a good amount of detective work into the history of the house, including picking the brains of local historians
Megan says: “According to members of the local historical society, the origins are probably 16th century, as in the doublehall structure and the vaulted front cellar, with early 18th century and later alterations visible inside, including some of the interior doors and woodwork.
“Major periods seen now are the early 19th century (the front) and the 1930s remodelling of the right-hand front bay of the building.”
According to the website British listed buildings, the house was granted a grade two listing in September 1986 mainly due to its collective group value of the house and outbuildings, but the shutters, cornices, panelled doors and regency fireplaces, one with paired columns, are also mentioned.
Megan says: “In the 18th-19th centuries it was the Globe Inn, and the painted signage on the front of the house was revealed after removing the cement render in 2017.
“The signage was covered up with the new, breathable lime render put on the house that year. The barn, coach house and stables all survive around the inner courtyard too, which retains some cobbles underneath the present grass.”
In the 1930s the right side of the front became the local butcher’s shop, but during 2018 to 2020 the house gained fame as one of the Keeping Faith filming locations.
Megan and her husband fell in love with the substantial property and bought it in 2015 from the family of the previous owner Mrs Glebe, who had lived there since the 1930s.
Megan says: “The house has not been spoiled by over-restoration, so it has an amazing atmosphere.
“My husband and I are history buffs. The original
slate sink survives in the still room, next door to the ground-floor kitchen with an early cast-iron range and bread ovens still surviving, although in need of restoration.”
The facade is looking smart, not because it had a supporting role in Keeping Faith but because the couple had started the restoration of this historical beauty themselves.
Next in the renovation project timeline came replacing missing roof tiles, repairing the guttering and inspecting the roof beams, some of which have been worked on and some of which still need repair.
Megan says: “Otherwise, the roof and its timbers are now very sound and can be inspected at several points in the house. No further internal evidence of damp has been discovered since these renovations were undertaken.
“In 2017, after full planning permission was granted, with the enthusiastic support of the Laugharne Historical Society, the early 20thCentury cement render, which had become cracked and was letting in damp, was removed from the building.
“It was replaced with traditional lime render done by Martin John of Llanelli.and his team; then the building was painted with lime-based paint sourced from Mike Wye in Devon.”
The couple’s aim was to restore the house and all its original features, but sadly due to the unexpected death of Megan’s husband in 2019, the house is now back on the market.
There is a full programme of restoration and renovation to make this handsome house sing again internally, but the feast of original features on offer means this landmark listed building will retain its character and charm into the future.
The estate agent states that the property, with two front doors and two staircases, could, with some clever design, become two homes.
Of course, any changes to the house, outbuildings and even the garden are subject to planning and listing consent, so a discussion with the estate agent and local planning officers is essential.
Despite the sad memories attached to the property, Megan’s connection to the house and the town is, and for ever will be, strong.
She says: “We never got to stay in the house, but my husband camped there during the warmer months when working on it.
“Aside from the remarkable historical features, he also very much enjoyed getting to know the historic village of Laugharne, and found that local people were very helpful and took a great interest in the house.
“The house has great personal meaning for me as the beloved project of my late husband, but I look forward to seeing another imaginative owner take it on and bring it back to life.”
Globe House is on the market for offers in excess of £375,000 with estate agent Fine & Country Narberth. Call them on 01834 862138 to find out more.