Location

The village of Clyro is just north of and across the river from Hay on Wye.

This Wye Valley region has some of the prettiest and most sensational views along the Welsh Marches with its back drop of Hay Bluff, the Black Mountains and the distant views of the Brecon Beacons.

The market town of Hay on Wye is internationally recognised for the Hay Literary Festival held twice a year and famed for its many independent book shops. This charming small town is a haven with its many coffee shops, restaurants and independent shops, butchers, and delicatessen. The region provides exceptional recreational opportunities.

The Cathedral city of Herford is approx. 20 miles away: with a wider selection of shops,restaurants and bars, there is a well-established city centre and leisure complex. In addition, there is a hospital, numerous pharmacies and mainline train station to London Paddington

Description

The Regency period saw a subtle refinement of classic Georgian design and Caemawr is an outstanding example the genre with spacious, well-proportioned rooms, tall ceilings and elegant windows.

A quintessential glazed veranda, complete with roses and wisteria, wraps around the front and eastern side of the house, providing the perfect spot to sit and enjoy the garden, whatever the weather, and shelter for the peach tree.

Discreetly positioned and enjoying the most private of settings, Caemawr is one of the finest examples of 19th century architecture. The house is of special historic interest and is locally renowned having been frequently mentioned in the Reverend Kilvert's Diaries.

Accessed via a private gated entrance, the drive sweeps to the principal entrance, supporting cottage and central courtyard.

Entering a spacious, elegant and light-filled reception hall, the classic layout affords for a very comfortable country lifestyle. The morning room, used as a sitting room has an attractive fireplace with a log burner and splendid views of the garden through the full length windows to the front and eastern side of the house.

The magnificent, double length drawing room is impressive but comfortable with its fluted columns, chandeliers, wooden shutters and an open fire is reminiscent of a scene from a Jane Austen novel: but brought up to date. This room with its long views across the extensive lawn areas and arboretum epitomises the graciousness of the Regency period. In addition, there is a formal dining room.

The country kitchen is airy and bright on account of having large windows giving views to the lawns to the south and into the inner courtyard at the front of the house. It is large enough to accommodate relaxed dining for the whole family with its fitted units and 4 oven Aga. The well-appointed laundry room has considerable storage space.

Off the kitchen, a rear hall boot-room provides access to a cloakroom, the courtyard and onto the dramatic double height library with a mezzanine study and a large open fire.

The cellar is accessed below the main staircase and includes a wine cellar which may have been the old gaol when the house was the Judge's court.

The first floor is accessed from the entrance hall via an elegant staircase with a double height window looking out to the southern lawns.

A half landing leads to the principal bedroom which again has large, shuttered windows on two elevations. The eastern aspect looks out across the valley where the river Wye flows, to nearby Hay-on-Wye. Spectacular sunrises are often witnessed from here. The southern aspect looks across the long lawns where families of a previous era would have played croquet and practiced archery.

There is an adjoining dressing room and a large, beautifully appointed and recently fitted panelled bathroom with free standing bath and large shower. This room again has large, shuttered windows and spectacular views across the gardens to Hay-on-Wye.

Off the main landing there are two more bedrooms, one with fabulous views across the front garden and approach to the house. The other not only has views across the front gardens but also has an easterly aspect with views across the garden and on to Hay-on-Wye. This room also has an elegant, newly fitted shower room.

Off the main landing a door leads to the west wing with three further bedrooms. All have southerly views across the lawns. One of the bedrooms has its own bathroom with a bath and large shower. The other two bedrooms are served by yet another newly fitted, large, elegant bathroom with shower and bath. The house benefits from two further cloakrooms, one located on the half landing and the other off the front entrance hall.

The Adjoining Cottage:
The Cottage is linked to the house via the library lobby. The ground floor consists of a sitting room and a fitted kitchen. There is access into the courtyard. There is a utility area and toilet as well as a door through to the double garage. A staircase from the living room leads up to a double bedroom and bathroom. There is also a large garden room with kitchenette and French windows providing views of the garden. A further door provides access to its own part of the garden. This room could be used as a second bedroom or second sitting room.

The Gardens:
The gardens are a very special feature of Caemawr and extend to almost 8 acres: including approximately two acres of woodland at the rear of the house. The principal garden areas comprise large laws to the east and south with a gloriously mature and extensive arboretum on the eastern side. This area has many fabulous specimen trees which were laid out many generations ago. There are two spectacular oak trees which are believed to have been planted when the house was built over 200 years ago.

The expert historical planting means that the gardens are full of colour whatever time of year. There are extensive camelia, rhododendron and hydrangea plants as well as snowdrops, primroses, daffodils and bluebells.

The park-like setting of Caemawr is evidence of the love that has been poured into the property by some of its notable residents over the centuries.

Adjacent to the house is a double-garage and a second large garage with log-stores is nearby. Close to the entrance of the property is a separate small barn which subject to planning permission could be converted to holiday accommodation.