Funding for most significant building ‘at risk’ in Wales

Located in the Llanthony Valley, within the Brecon Beacons National Park, Llwyn Celyn is a rare survival thought to date from the late 15th century.  It serves as a textbook example of the development of the British manor house, representing all key developments in British domestic architecture between the 15th and 18th centuries within its walls.  These grants from NHMF and Cadw will now enable the Landmark Trust to continue its negotiations to acquire, restore and preserve Llwyn Celyn, its farmstead and surrounding land for future generations to enjoy.

John Penrose MP, DCMS Minister for Tourism and Heritage, said:  “This funding will help secure the future of this significant building for generations to come. It’s vitally important that we continue to protect our heritage at risk and I’m pleased the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Cadw have been able to support the preservation of Llwyn Celyn.”

Alun Ffred Jones, Heritage Minister, said:  “It is welcome news that Llwyn Celyn is to be repaired and restored with the support of Cadw, the Welsh Assembly Government’s historic environment service. Purchase of the property by the Landmark Trust will help to secure its future and its sustainable re-use by a well-respected organisation.”

Carole Souter, Chief Executive of the NHMF, said:  “This is fantastic news.  Llwyn Celyn is exactly the kind of rare heritage treasure the National Heritage Memorial Fund was set up to save when it was founded 30 years ago.  It offers an amazing insight into the way our homes – great and small – have developed over the centuries. This grant will enable the Landmark Trust to progress its plans to ensure this wonderful building has a sustainable future.”

Peter Pearce, Director of the Landmark Trust, commented:  “We are absolutely delighted.  These grants from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Cadw are crucial in enabling us to safeguard this outstanding piece of Welsh and British heritage – without it, there is a real chance this rare building will be lost forever.  The importance of Llwyn Celyn in helping us understand the development of high status Welsh houses more fully cannot be understated.”

Once in its ownership, the Landmark Trust will begin more thorough analysis of the building’s fabric and research into its history, about which very little is known.  It is believed that the original owner must have been a person of considerable status and wealth and there is possibly a connection with Llanthony Priory which is situated less than six miles away.

Once purchased, the Landmark Trust will begin fundraising to enable restoration.  When complete, the house will be made financially sustainable by being available for rent as holiday accommodation.  Plans also include open days for members of the public.

Notes to editors

Funding

Acquisition cost £670,000

NHMF   £335,000 (50 per cent)
Cadw   £335,000 (50 per cent)

For more details, please contact Natasha Ley, NHMF Press Office, on (020) 7591 6102 or Alison Scott, NHMF Press Office on (020) 7591 6032.  Out of hours mobile: 07973 613820.

The Landmark Trust

The Landmark Trust is a building preservation charity founded in 1965 by Sir John Smith to rescue historic and architecturally interesting buildings and their surroundings from dereliction. Once restored, Landmark gives them new life by letting them as places to experience for holidays. Landmark promotes enjoyment of historic buildings by enabling as many people as possible to experience living in them for a short time, while also preserving their place in the landscape for all. The letting income generated from holiday bookings then pays for the future maintenance of the buildings. As a charity, Landmark relies on fundraising to carry out its restoration projects. Today, it has more than 200 buildings in its care of which 190 are available for holidays in Britain, France and Italy. 
In Wales there are 15 Landmarks including Clytha Castle near Abergavenny, an eighteenth-century folly built ‘with the purpose of relieving a mind afflicted by the loss of a most excellent wife’.

Cadw

Cadw is the Welsh Assembly Government's historic environment service, working for an accessible and well protected historic environment for Wales. 

Further information

Katherine Oakes or Katie Arber, Landmark Trust press office, 
Phone: 01628 825920 Email: koakes@landmarktrust.org.uk / karber@landmarktrust.org.uk.

Natasha Ley or Alison Scott, NHMF Press Officers
Phone: (020) 7591 6102/6032   Mobile: 07973 613820