Today in unusual homes for sale in the British Countryside, allow us to present The Monastery near Capel y Ffin in Wales. As you might already be suspecting, The Monastery was indeed a monastery at one time; it is now, however, a home with 14 bedrooms.
For sale with Fine and Country for the sum of £1.5 million, The Monastery is a ‘unique and historic property’ that was originally built by Father Ignatius (real name: Joseph Leycester Lyne) in about 1870. Now listed Grade II, the property was designed by the architect Charles Buckeridge and, as well as many bedrooms, offers some ridiculous views. Just have a look at this.
Conversions of religious buildings always pique a certain interest here at the Country Life Property Desk (CLPD). The often unusual layouts of places of worship present interesting challenges when they are turned into houses, and The Monastery is no different.
Have you, for example, ever wished to live in a building that is almost a perfect square set around a central courtyard? Where, on the ground floor, there are no corridors, so in order to get from one side to the other you must walk through every single room between where you are and where you want to go? Well we have good news.
The other nice thing about these buildings is the excess of period features that they often include. More than just the typical exposed beams and vaulted ceilings are on display here. Observe the kitchen, if you will, with its beautiful stone chimney above the Aga. The inscription reads Laborare Est Orare, which, in English, means ‘To work is to pray’, a sentiment that will no doubt come in handy if you ever have to cook with upwards of 10 guests staying over.
Other highlights include the mullioned windows, the beautiful gothic entrances, wooden panelling throughout and the high ceilings. There is plenty of space here, which is always good and, indeed, inspirational. Artists who have once lived here include Eric Gill, Edgar Holloway and David Jones.
The gardens and grounds, as mentioned, are some of the finest spots in this part of Wales, with searing views of the surrounding valleys and countryside. Extending to some 8 acres, they also include the ruins of the original church, which is maintained by the Father Ignatius Memorial Trust. If that wasn’t enough, within the grounds is an area of woodland with its own stream. The nearby village of Llanthony provides a pub and a restaurant, while Hay-on-Wye is 8 miles to the north.
14 breathtaking houses, from £600,000 to £17 million, as seen in Country Life
From charming cottages to 1,000-acre estates, here's a look at some of the best homes to come up for sale
The 10 cheapest cities for first-time buyers, where getting on the housing ladder can still be done for £100k
Aberdeen tops the 10-strong ranking of the most affordable places for aspiring homeowners. And guess what? They’re all north of
Credit: Knight Frank
An irresistible 'gardener's paradise' in Somerset that's on the market for the first time in 52 years
Barr House at Bishop's Hull has been a much cherished home and is something of a gardener's paradise.
Credit: Savills
An achingly modern five-bedroom home in Kent that's perfect for horse lovers
At Parkside near Sevenoaks, modernity meets the countryside to create a fine family home for the 21st century.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
-
A 327-acre estate in the heart of 'England’s Côte d’Or', with a 26,000sq ft Georgian style home at its heartStokes Hall in the Crouch Valley is an inspiring property looking for a new owner.
-
Schreiber House, 'the most significant London townhouse of the second half of the 20th century', is up for saleThe five-bedroom Modernist masterpiece sits on the edge of Hampstead Heath.
-
Is the 'race for space' officially over?During the lockdowns, many thought the countryside was the place to be. It seems many are now changing their minds.
-
What's a 'wellness village' and will it tempt you back into the office?The team behind London's first mixed-use ‘wellness village’ says it has the magic formula for tempting workers back into offices.
-
A mini estate in Kent that's so lovely it once featured in Simon Schama's 'History of Britain'The Paper Mill estate is a picture-postcard in the Garden of England.
-
Hidden excellence in a £7.5 million north London homeBehind the traditional façades of Provost Road, you will find something very special.
-
Sip tea and laugh at your neighbours in this seaside Norfolk home with a watchtowerOn Cliff Hill in Gorleston, one home is taller than all the others. It could be yours.
-
A Grecian masterpiece that might be one of the nation's finest homes comes up for sale in KentGrade I-listed Holwood House sits in 40 acres of private parkland just 15 miles from central London. It is spectacular.
