GEORGIAN GRANDEUR

The country house with 11 bedrooms that’s the most expensive in Wales is such a special place, with a lake that was once visited by royalty. Joanne Ridout finds out more...

IF YOU love the rolling countryside of Wales, how about owning a slice of it; over 275 acres? Now that’s a decent sized garden. But with this stunning landscaped garden with tennis court, acres of fields, pockets of ancient woodland and stunning vistas of some of Wales’ most distinctive mountains including the Skirrid and the Sugar Loaf, also comes a stunning house that oozes grandeur.

Great Campston is a property jewel nestled within the rolling rural landscape of Monmouthshire and offers the next lucky owner a picture perfect property and a wonderful place to live their best country life.

The gorgeous Grade II listed Georgian house is currently the most expensive house for sale in Wales, if you disregard any “price on application” properties, and offers a new owner almost their own little hamlet.

In the grounds there is an extra twobed guest cottage, a three-bed bungalow and an extensive range of outbuildings included in the asking price of offers in excess of £4.5m.

According to the website British listed buildings, the reason the manor is listed is because it is a “substantial 17th century house with an early and important history”.

This history includes the claim that King Charles II visited the property that was on the site in 1645, such was the regional importance of the house.

But its history actually goes further back than the royal visit – it’s thought that there’s been a settlement on this site since the 12th century.

It is also believed to be where the battle of Campston Hill occurred in 1404, thought to have resulted in a heavy defeat for the last native Prince of Wales, Owain Glyndwr, although definitive proof of this is hard to find.

The property has changed hands a number of times in its long history, and has undergone many renovations to the final design of the Georgian building that survives to this day.

The current vendor acquired Great Campston in 2002 and embarked upon a modern and major renovation and rebuild of the property to create a beautiful family dream home.

Travelling up the sweeping driveway you arrive at an entrance that is as distinctive as the house.

An attractive stone former farm building welcomes you and invites you to travel under its impressive double doorway to enter the innersanctum of this truly unique home.

At this entrance you will also find the mini hamlet of extra dwellings that give this home extra flexibility, either to earn money or to bring all generations of the entire family to live on the estate together but in these separate properties – arguably the best of both worlds.

The garden path, flanked by flower beds, brings you to a set of stone steps and the impressive Georgian facade of this beautiful home. The Grecian-style columned porch is the detail that stamps the extra grandeur to the attractive, symmetrical frontage.

Peep through the front door and the design elegance of the outside is matched by the large entrance hall with its high ceiling and wide double doors to the flanking reception rooms.

There’s plenty of posh splendour in this space, from the stone floor to the coving to the incredible staircase.

Step inside and the Grade II listed home is actually awash with incredible period features throughout, as well as elegant and tasteful interior design.

These include stripped beams, window frames, parquet flooring, panelled walls and the very impressive central staircase that combines sandstone stairs with hand-forged wrought iron balustrades and smooth, oak banisters.

The current vendors’ renovations have ensured these beautiful details are the focus of the rooms and restored to be enjoyed for many years to come.

Where the vendors have added modern features their choice has been based in traditional interior design.

Roll-top baths, bespoke traditionalstyle kitchen and period inspired fixtures and fittings easily harmonise alongside original features.

The drawing room is a light-filled space with parquet flooring and decorative plaster work, and of particular note is the marble mantelpiece showcasing iconic blue Wedgwood Jasperware plaques.

Arguably the most impressive and unique of the features in the home are the very detailed cornices and friezes framing the decorative ceilings in a number of rooms.

And if you love wall panelling, then this original feature in the formal dining room will delight you.

This sizeable space is big enough to seat at least 14 guests and boasts parquet flooring and plaster moulding, as well as the impressive panelled walls.

But for all its fancy features, vast room sizes and abundant period charm, the house feels warm and welcoming, offering many spaces for regular socialising in vast numbers. If you have a large family and a substantial group of friends, this house can take it.

The kitchen, although designed with a traditional feel, is actually a Johnny Gray Studios designed room, a well-known bespoke kitchen interior design company.

This hub of the home room comes complete with an Aga, handcrafted island, units and work surfaces and walk-in cold rooms.

The kitchen is connected to a breakfast room and dining area with green oak beams, an open fire and French doors providing access to alfresco dining on the garden terrace.

Beyond the breakfast area is a room that has a multitude of potential uses, including a playroom and a snug and could even be turned into a cinema room.

Upstairs there are 11 bedrooms, according to the state agent, five of which are en suite, with the sleeping accommodation set over two floors plus a large attic perfect as a playroom or possible extra bedrooms, subject to planning.

The master suite is a wing comprising a generous bedroom that has stunning rural and garden views, three to choose from via the large, multi-paned windows, plus the suite has a dressing room and en suite.

The house also has a wine cellar, but it’s not just a basement with built-in shelves and racks. This facility boasts extensive dry storage capacity that is naturally ventilated and maintained at the correct temperature.

And there are plenty of places to choose within the 275 acres to place a picnic and enjoy a glass of wine from the special cellar at this very special country estate. Sounds blissful.

■ Great Campston is on the market with Knight Frank Country Department for offers in excess of £4.5m. Call them on 020 3797 3852 to find out more about this dream property.