800-Year-Old Manor House In Wales Owned By Henry VIII

This 800-year-old manor house in Wales, called Llanthony Secunda Manor, is truly expectational.

Located in the town of Caldicot, Monmouthshire, this Grade 2 listed manor house is believed to have once been owned by King Henry VIII in 1536.

At that time, Henry acquired a massive amount of land in England and Wales due to the dissolution of the monasteries.

This incredible house was directly linked to the monks of Llanthony Prima in Monmouthshire and Llanthony Secunda Abbey in Gloucester.

It then became the property of the king, pictured above.

Henry appointed Clement Dace as his bailiff and farmer of the manor and probably never visited himself before he sold it in 1557.

Richard Seyborne purchased it for £174.5.6, the value arrived at was the total of the yearly rents and perquisites, at thirty years purchase.

The manor was sold again by Richard Seyborne’s son, John, between 1601 and 1603, to Edward Kemeys.

It was the Kemey’s family who did a lot of work to the oldest parts of the building.

The current spiral stairs, and many of the fireplaces and doorframes, are thought to date from their ownership.

Luckily they do not seem to have touched the 15th century wing, and today it remains much as it would have looked when it was first built.

Stunning original features can be found throughout the historic house, including original bread ovens in the kitchen, lime washed walls, exposed stonework, wooden beams, gothic doorways and spiral staircases.

One of the main interior highlights is the magnificent Great Hall, which houses a dining room and a separate library.

Here, there are wonderful ceiling beams and Tudor-style decor.

The medieval manor interiors are warm and very unique, antiques everywhere give it its medieval feel.

The wooden floors, small wooden doors and fireplace, complete with years of soot stains on the mantle, create a perfect visual reference to the past.

Up a spiral stone staircase to the second floor and there are two further bedrooms and a stylish bathroom complete with roll top bath and the continuation of the fabric of the building being the most mesmerising feature of each room.

The master bedroom is a pretty paradise, with a feature wooden four poster bed as a classic addition to the stone and wood based decor.

Along with the main house is a separate barn, which could be used as additional accommodation or a garage.

Elsewhere, the pretty and spacious gardens are made up of courtyards, lawns, and a covered well.

Today, the property is a holiday home and available to rent.

The manor comfortably sleeps 14 adults, with its 2 master bedrooms, 2 family rooms and one twin room, there is also a comfy sofa bed in the lounge.

It can also accommodate three more children on moveable mattresses if required, taking the number up to 17 guests.

The two large master bedrooms are located in the 15th century wing of the manor.

These were originally dormitory rooms for the monks of Llanthony.

They each have king size, four poster, medieval carved beds, as well as en-suite facilities.

The third bedroom is a family room with a king size bed, which is on a hand carved frame, there is also a single bed in this room.

The fourth bedroom is a twin room, with basin and mirror.

The fifth bedroom is another family room with a double bed and a single bed, located off the great hall.

All modern facilities have been cleverly incorporated, while retaining the ancient atmosphere.

One recent visitor said: “This was a great place to stay, very unique! The bathrooms were an absolute marvel.

”Very well presented and very clean, lots of space outside considering its in the middle of a housing estate, very odd, it's like you're transported to a world gone by as soon as you go through the entrance!

”The only downside for me was the area where the walled garden was, it just looked a bit messy, like it's almost a feature but not quite there!?

”Two things to note if people are wondering; not wheel chair friendly and also tall people like me, watch your head.”

Another person said: “Spent the weekend here. The building is stunning. Kitchen is wonderful everything you could want for a week.

”The lady who showed us around when we arrived was very friendly and helpful. Really enjoyed the weekend here.”

The manor has full gas central heating, running on two, separate, combi systems, so there is always plenty of hot water.

All rooms have at least one thermostatically controlled radiator, to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

It also has two bathrooms, which have claw foot baths as well as showers. The master bedrooms also have en-suite w/c’s.

The manor is located in the lovely village of Caldicot, just 100 yards from Caldicot Castle and its 55 acre country park.

The Castle Inn is less than 100 yards from the manor, where you can enjoy a good meal and a relaxing drink.

Check out more photos of this stunning property below.

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