An historic mansion is being sold after being owned by the same family for more than 450 years to secure its 'longer term future'.
The Jacobean grade-II mansion is finally available to new owners after being put on the market for £2.5million.
The historic estate at Gwysaney Hall, Flintshire, is recorded in the Domesday Book and has links dating back to the 9th century.
The present hall was built in 1603 but in 1645 was besieged and taken by Oliver Cromwell's Roundheads - and its cannon ball damaged front door is still in place.
It has belonged to the Davies-Cooke family for more than 450 years after being handed down the generations but present owner Richard Davies-Cook says the time has come to sell up.
He said: 'I feel very privileged to have inherited Gwysaney from my father, it's a really lovely house, it's very friendly, and every generation has done their bit to try and keep on top of things during the years.
'The Davies family were devout royalists and huge supporters of King Charles I and II but it was the time of the civil war, so Sir William Brereton was appointed by Oliver Cromwell to bring his army across to Gwysaney to sort out the troublemakers, such as my ancestor Robert Davies.
'It ended up with Brereton getting to Gwysaney and placing a cannon on the front lawn and the end result was the cannon ball struck the front door, and it had to be repaired - you can still see the repair mark on it.
'The house was breached and my ancestor Robert was taken off to Chester jail where he spent time until he paid the fine of £645 - today's money it's probably in excess of £1.25m!'
Richard said the property has undergone significant changes over time.
He said: 'Unfortunately, in 1825 a large crack appeared in the western wing of the hall which was caused by subsidence.
'Gwysaney was built on the top of the side of a hill and it was a bit too close to the edge - it took about 25 years, but we lost a top floor and we lost a wing, and that wing included the family chapel.
'So at the time there was a major reconfiguration of the hall. But now looking at the original floorplan, there can't be much of the original hall left, because there are walls that have been put in where originally there hadn't been one.
'So like many houses of that time there would have been a Great Hall for entertaining but that has now been subdivided into other rooms.'
Although he is selling up, Richard says he still plans to move into another property on part of his family's large estate.
He said: 'I feel very honoured and privileged to be here, and sad at the same time that it's on my watch that we've had to take this decision, but we need to be sensible and look at the longer term future for my son and grandson.
'The new owners are taking on a legacy which has been running for a very long period of time, but I hope that they feel this is their home and that they are inclusive within a bigger wheel within the estate.'
Gwysaney Hall, cottages and 26 acres of grounds are for sale for £2.5m with estate agent Strutt and Parker.
Comments
Leave a Comment