The Prince of Wales has bought a 200-acre rural retreat in his principality. Surrounded by woodland and fields, Llwynywormwood, a working organic farm with three-bedroom house near Llandovery in Carmarthenshire is rumoured to have cost the Prince about £1 million. ‘It’s a very pretty part of the world,’ said Tony Morris-Eyton from Savills West Midlands. ‘It is fairly remote and there are plenty of lovely houses.’
A spokesperson for the Prince of Wales has confirmed the property will be used regularly by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall when they are in Wales. The Duchy of Cornwall will also be applying for planning permission to enable the property to be used as holiday lets when the Royal couple are not there. Llwynywormwood’s picturesque grounds include a walled garden, and the remains of a lake, within an 18th century former parkland. Prince Charles hopes to extend this existing house to provide more accommodation, using the project as a training opportunity for young people.
The Prince is not the only person to invest in Wales’s £1 million property market this year. Savills has sold a number of prime country houses this year including Nantlys Hall in the Vale of Clwyd and Eriviatt Hall, both near Ruthin. ‘They are very accessible properties. Nantlys received over 40 viewings,’ Mr Morris-Eyton explained.
Over the past few years the farm and residential markets in Wales have remained strong, with accessibility being the key to high prices. ‘Quality and accessibility are very important,’ explained Mr Morris-Eyton. ‘In simple terms there are three prongs into Wales; the M4 in the south, the M54 (off the M6 from Telford and Shrewsbury) in the middle and the A56 in the north. Houses within easy reach of these roads command the highest prices.’
Abersoch on the north Wales coast is an unfailingly popular destination for second home owners. ‘It is the Rock of this part of the world,’ said Mr Morris-Eyton. Aberdovey (pictured) also has a loyal following of second home owners. ‘It is a bit prettier,’ he explained, adding that high demand has pushed up prices. Situated on the route from Telford and Shrewsbury, Aberdovey is easy to access from the Midlands. The former Harbour Hotel has been redeveloped into eight apartments overlooking the harbour, prices starting from £330,000 (tel: +44 (0) 1952 239 537).
