A property on the site of Y Fan was first mentioned in 1529 when it was purchased by Edward Lewis, a sheriff of Glamorgan. In 1583 Edwards Lewis’s son obtained the lease for Caerphilly Castle and used the dressed stone from there to build Y Fan. Y Fan fell into ruin but was later inherited by the Earl of Plymouth. Y Fan became The Van or Van Mansion and was extended in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries and was at that time one of the largest houses of the period in the whole country. Now known as Y Fan, it has been sympathetically restored to its former glory and is now a Grade II listed home of distinction currently run as a boutique Bed and Breakfast business.

Step inside and into the vestibule where you get your first taste of the period features found throughout this exceptional home. Stone steps lead the way up into the grand drawing room which is a vast space with a stone fireplace. The period features marry well with modern features such as Victorian style radiators. Restored, elegant stone mullion windows, a feature found throughout much of the property allow light to flow into the room. The oak flooring found in the drawing room, along with the stone mullion windows continues through into the dining hall, unifying the space. Grand, bespoke doors, thought to be approximately 117 years old were reclaimed from an old church connect the two rooms, the features in each room echoing the other.

The kitchen has a range of cream, shaker style cupboards and an enormous island with a solid marble worktop. Between the cupboards is space for a range style cooker. Integral appliances include 2 AEG ovens and a dishwasher. The kitchen also benefits from period features to include a stone fireplace, exposed ceiling beams and a beautiful stone mullion window. A bespoke solid oak door made by Seasons Joinery and Timber opens into the rear entrance. Within the rear entrance hall is a cloakroom.

Move through into the cosier sitting room where a woodburning stove stands proudly within the fireplace. The windows in this room overlook the courtyard at the front aspect and a door opens into the garden at the rear.

A reception area located centrally within the property provides access to a further cloakroom, next to an external door opening out to the garden and a small staircase leading down to the cellar. The cellar has restricted head height but offers space for a washing machine and a tumble dryer and even has a stainless steel sink. It is utilised as a utility room and store. It does have a
radiator to help maintain an even temperature.

The grand staircase is a feast for the eyes and can be found within the inner reception area. There is space for long drop chandelier style lighting to cascade down between the different floor levels. Glide up the staircase to the first floor and find the first of the bedroom suites all named after local Welsh figures.

The Green Lady

Legend has it that a Green Lady, the ghost of Princess Alice of Angouleme, haunts the ramparts of Caerphilly Castle, waiting to be reunited with her prince, Gruffudd the Fair, whom her husband, Gilbert de Clare conspired to. This is a spacious en-suite bedroom overlooking the front aspect.

Gruffydd The Fair

Gruffydd The Fair, Prince of Brithdir visited the home of the beautiful Princess Alice of Angouleme, who was married to Gilbert De Clare. They fell in love and soon the two were lovers until Gruffydd The Fair confessed to a monk who told Gilbert De Clare. Gilbert De Clare banished his wife to France and executed Gruffydd. This is an en-suite double bedroom suite with an attractive faux fireplace and ceiling beams. A window with exceptionally deep sill overlooks
the side aspect.

Edward Lewis

Edward Lewis, the Sheriff of Glamorgan first purchased the original Y Fan in 1529. His son went on to obtain the lease for Caerphilly Castle and used the dressed stone from Caerphilly Castle to rebuild Y Fan in 1583. This bedroom suite is large enough to house a four-poster bed. It has a feature fireplace and two enormous windows framing views across the treetops and distance hills. It has a sumptuous en-suite bathroom.

Gilbert De Clare

Gilbert De Clare or Gilbert ‘The Red’ as he was known by the fiery colour of his hair. The young earl was just 25 at the time he commenced building Caerphilly Castle. The scheme for the stronghold at Caerphilly was one of the most ambitious ever to have been conceived in the kingdom. Another generous bedroom suite worthy of a four-poster bed. This room has a very spacious ensuite bathroom.

The Principal Bedroom Suite

This magnificent bedroom has not yet been named and has a short staircase leading up to a sumptuous en-suite bathroom. Arched windows frame wonderful views of the rolling hills and countryside. A doorway reveals uneven steps up to the vast attic space.

The first floor is also where the plant room / laundry room is located housing two gas boilers. The staircase continues to wind up to the second floor.

Ifor Bach

Ifor Bach, Lord of Senghenydd, was a twelfth-century leader of the Welsh people. Ifor Bach was a tenant of William Fitz Robert, 2nd Earl of Gloucester, who held Cardiff Castle. Gloucester was trying to take land which under Welsh law belonged to Ifor. Ifor scaled the walls of Cardiff Castle using his bare hands, seized the Earl, his Countess Hawise, a daughter of the Earl of Leicester, and their young son Robert, and kidnapped all of them to the woods of Senghenydd. He refused to release them until he had recovered the land he had lost. This ensuite bedroom has a vaulted ceiling and a magnificent, exposed A frame beam.

Owain Glyndwr

Owain Glyndwr was a Welsh leader, soldier and military commander in the Late Middle Ages, who led a 15-year-long revolt with the aim of ending English rule in Wales. This en-suite bedroom also has a wonderful exposed A frame and two low level windows overlooking the garden.

Attached Stone Barn

Attached to the main house is a two storey stone barn with the ground floor currently being utilised as a workshop. The first floor was formerly used as a self-contained apartment but is currently an empty shell with plumbing and electrics in situ. It is in need of a complete renovation, but the potential is there to turn this into a holiday let or self-contained annexe (STP).

OUTSIDE

Cadw has registered the Tudor walled and terraced gardens at Y Fan as a Historic Park and Garden. To the front aspect is ample car parking for many vehicles, a well-manicured lawn and a stone arch providing access into the rear garden. The gardens, enclosed by stone walling comprise of a lower and upper lawn and a pretty, low maintenance barbecue and al-fresco dining and entertaining area. Mature trees provide shade from the summer sun. Wonderful views of the surrounding hills and countryside can be appreciated. The gardens surrounding Y Fan amount
to approximately half an acre in total.

KEY INFORMATION

Services: Mains water, electricity, gas and drainage.

Wayleaves, Easements and Rights of Way: The property is offered with all existing wayleaves, easements and all public and private rights of way and other such rights, whether these are specifically referred to in these particulars or not.

Tenure: Freehold

Council Tax Band: Band I

Local Authority: Caerphilly County Borough Council.

Key features

• A BEAUTIFUL RESTORED MANSION WITH 7 EN-SUITE BEDROOMS
• MAGNIFICENT DRAWING ROOM, DINING ROOM AND KITCHEN
• PRETTY GARDENS AMOUNTING TO APPROXIMATELY HALF AN ACRE
• AN ATTACHED BARN WITH POTENTIAL FOR CONVERSION (STP)
• REGISTERED HISTORICAL PARK AND GARDEN
• CAR PARKING FOR MANY VEHICLES
• LOCATED IN AN AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY
• CURRENTLY RUN AS A BOUTIQUE BED AND BREAKFAST BUSINESS
• JUST 8.5 MILES FROM THE CAPITAL CITY CARDIFF