GELLIDEG, Llandyfaelog, Carmarthenshire 2010
Notes on GELLIDEG, Llandyfaelog, Carmarthenshire 2010
I arrived at the Italianate mansion of Gellideg in near darkness, the imposing height forming a black mass in amongst the tress and although the trees were barren of foliage they were still covered in rampant ivy and therefore obscuring a proper view of the house.
Gellideg’s life has been a short lived one. It was built in 1852 by William Wesley Jenkins and then the lead was removed by the family and sold in the 1950’s and with the proceeds a smaller house was designed and built close by (sharing the same name and now serving as a Bed & Breakfast).
The morning slowly broke with the birdsong, naying horses and moaning cows from the farm nearby. It had been a cold night but gave way to a bright and cheerful March morning. The house was untouched by vandal and appeared to be in a structurally good condition. Inside there are few clues to the layout of the house and although the cellars were open I declined the invitation to explore.
Also to be noted that the origins of a former house are easily distinguished within which aids to the confusion of layout.
Large stables still in agricultural use are just a few hundred yards away as well as a small oval boating lake.
I arrived at the Italianate mansion of Gellideg in near darkness, the imposing height forming a black mass in amongst the tress and although the trees were barren of foliage they were still covered in rampant ivy and therefore obscuring a proper view of the house.
Gellideg’s life has been a short lived one. It was built in 1852 by William Wesley Jenkins and then the lead was removed by the family and sold in the 1950’s and with the proceeds a smaller house was designed and built close by (sharing the same name and now serving as a Bed & Breakfast).
The morning slowly broke with the birdsong, naying horses and moaning cows from the farm nearby. It had been a cold night but gave way to a bright and cheerful March morning. The house was untouched by vandal and appeared to be in a structurally good condition. Inside there are few clues to the layout of the house and although the cellars were open I declined the invitation to explore.
Also to be noted that the origins of a former house are easily distinguished within which aids to the confusion of layout.
Large stables still in agricultural use are just a few hundred yards away as well as a small oval boating lake.
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By Graham Harries: I visited Gellideg in 2012. I knocked on the farmhouse & permission was given for me to have a look around by the tenant farmer. He told me the story of how this stunning home become what it is today! After the 2nd World War when money was tight & taxation high the family fell upon hard times. The family owned another property in the south of England & decanted there leaving a caretaker to look after Gellideg. Thieves stole the lead off the roof & water got in. Over a number of years of water ingress & being left empty the family bit the bullet & the decision was made to demolish the house. A builder was engaged and payment was in the form of him having the interior furnishings & fittings. The builder stripped out the interior & walked away saying he knew nothing of the verbal agreement to demolish the house!