Llangoed Hall
Llangoed Hall is a country house hotel,[1] near the village of Llyswen, in Powys, Mid Wales. It is known for its decoration in Laura Ashley fabrics and styles, and was owned by Sir Bernard Ashley, the widower of the designer. It is a Grade II* listed building,[2] and its gardens and park are listed at Grade II on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.[3]
History
The Hall, originally known as Llangoed Castle,[4] was donated to the church in 560 by Prince Iddon in expiation of his sins.[5] It may have also been the site of the legendary White Palace, home of the first Welsh parliament.[6] A mansion existed from 1632.[7]
It was in the possession of the Macnamara family for two generations until 1847, but changed hands to settle a gambling debt.[6] After the First World War, Clough Williams-Ellis re-designed it as a country house,[6] retaining the surviving Jacobean porch as part of the south wing but creating several Arts and Crafts additions.[4][8]
Sir Bernard Ashley bought Llangoed Hall in 1987 and opened it as a hotel in 1990.[4] The Ashley family sold the hall to Von Essen Hotels in November 2010 for an undisclosed sum.[9] The property was put up for sale again in February 2012 after Von Essen went into administration in April 2011.[7]
Hotel
Sir Bernard Ashley's intention was to recreate Llangoed Hall as an Edwardian house, replete with high-society Edwardian customs, period furnishings and antique fittings. The hotel also has an art collection with pieces by Whistler, Augustus John, Walter Sickert, Andrew Melville, John Duncan Fergusson and Albert Lynch.[10]
Bedrooms are individually designed and decorated with furnishings from Laura Ashley and Sir Bernard's venture company Elanbach, which he created in 2000 and is based in the hotel's grounds.[7][11] It won the Best Restaurant in Wales award in its first year.[citation needed]
References
- ^ Hugh Thomson (8 November 2020). "A glorious stroll along the Wye's remote pools and rapids". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ Cadw. "Llangoed Hall, Bronllys (Grade II*) (7484)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
- ^ Cadw. "Llangoed Hall (PGW(Po)12(POW))". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
- ^ a b c Liz Hoggard (21 August 2013). "The Manor, Hertfordshire/Llangoed Hall, Wales - review". Evening Standard. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ Winn, Christopher (2007). I never knew that about Wales. London: Ebury Press. p. 25. ISBN 9780091918583. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
- ^ a b c "Here's posh for you". The Independent Magazine. 15 March 1997. p. 40.
- ^ a b c "Ex-Ashley hotel Llangoed Hall up for sale". BBC. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ Sarah Turner (4 September 2022). "Artful lodgers: 10 great Arts and Crafts hotels and houses in Britain". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
- ^ "Laura Ashley family sells Llangoed Hall Hotel". BBC. 20 November 2010. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ "Grand designs with hall's Laura Ashley connection". Times of Malta. 22 November 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ "Sir Bernard Ashley dies, aged 82". BBC. 16 February 2009. Retrieved 14 June 2021.