19th century mini castle on market for £450,000
THIS instantly recognisable neogothic style mini castle has greeted travellers along one of the main routes into and out of Wales for decades.
Located on the A40, it’s likely that most people passing this distinctive building have noticed it and wondered what it was and what it looked like on the inside.
Unlike the nearby Goodrich Castle, The Gatehouse in Pencraig is a fullyequipped and comfortable home but its design is a direct homage to the surrounding historic castles that were built along the Wales/England border.
According to the website gateandlodgehouses.co.uk this particular gate house dates from about 1830 and was designed by the Gothic revival architect Edward Blore.
It was built for Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick, an English collector, author and historian of arms and, in particular, armour, who advised King George IV on the subject.
The Grade II listed building was the main lodge for Sir Samuel’s country residence, Goodrich Court.
It is said that Sir Samuel did try to buy the ruins of Goodrich Castle and when that failed, he bought some land opposite and built his own mansion which included space to display his much-loved collection of armour.
The magnificent mansion was used by the private and independent Essex Felsted School when it was evacuated to the site during World War II.
After the war, the poor property was stripped of its fittings and fixtures and finally demolished in 1949 due to lack of funds for its upkeep.
Luckily the castle-inspired gate house survived demolition and could now be yours if you want a unique home with a unique history.
The accommodation available inside this four bedroom home is as intriguing as the outside.
The lower ground floor has a basement, workshop, cloakroom and garage.
From a door on this level there is, of course, a spiral staircase that leads you up to the main reception area.
In the centre of the building is the dining room which has a large, multipaned window on both sides.
This window is arguably one of the main distinctive features seen from the road as you drive by; oh, and the two turrets, gothic style arched windows and locally sourced pink stone facade, of course.
On this ground floor there is also the main entrance hall at the rear of the property, accessed through the garden, which leads to a kitchen and then the recognisable dining hall.
The quirky rear ‘wing’ of the house is where the main sitting room can be found.
This is a sunny space with floor to ceiling doors leading out onto a garden patio in the summer and there is a cosy log burner fireplace to snuggle around in the winter.
Up to the next floor, via the continuing spiral staircase, and there are two generous bedrooms and a bathroom.
Up to the second floor and two further bedrooms can be discovered and are housed within the tall turret loft space.
The rooms are currently set up as girl’s bedrooms. Surely these rooms are every girl’s idea of a fairytale bedroom, inside the turret of a mini-castle and complete with gothic arched windows.
Lastly, at the very top of the dizzy inducing spiral staircase there is a final loft space, useful for storage or maybe even conversion into a very cool games room, subject to planning.
Outside the garden is a generous size but feels so much bigger, with uninterrupted, expansive rural views stretching across the landscape.
■ The Gatehouse is for sale with estate agents The Property Hub for £450,000, give them a call on 01989 569 400 to find out more.