If you visited the country estate in Monmouthshire called Bertholey before 1905 you would have been in awe, staring at one of Wales’ most remarkable neoclassically designed mansions, an important house within the country’s rich architectural heritage.
Within its private landscape of over 161 acres of parkland, lakes and woodland, your carriage would have trundled up the suitably impressive, tree-lined driveway to the substantial turning circle complete with central fountain, while the stone, double-fronted façade with huge Georgian windows and a columned porchway would have surely taken your breath away.
If you revisited the house again anytime after the landmark date of 1905 in this home’s history, your heart would have broken – a devastating fire had gutted the house with only three walls remaining; no roof, no windows, no floors, no future. For more home, renovation and interiors stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here.
READ MORE: Continuing sad saga of derelict Welsh manor which might now have a future
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For decades the ruin stood abandoned with walls collapsing and foliage taking over -Credit:Owners’ photo
It is unclear how the fire started, with some sources suggesting it was an accident and due to a visiting relative of the owner being drunk, and some saying it was set on purpose due to a family feud, or that it was even an insurance fraud in an attempt to clear gambling debts.
Since then the mansion has stood silent and abandoned, invaded by foliage and attacked by relentless weather, with no roof, windows or doors to protect it, and at some point a large section of the front façade completely collapsed.
The transformation for burnt out ruin to stunning home is remarkable -Credit:Savills, Cardiff
The site was then used as part of a farming enterprise and the house was largely ignored, with only cows wandering through the ruins and birds nesting in any remaining walls and sometimes the local children secretly visiting the building to explore – a very dangerous adventure playground.
But it was not completely alone, with cottages and buildings within the grounds still lived in and loved, but over the decades it appeared to even the most optimistic visitor that the manor house was close to total and utter dereliction death – a slice of Welsh history wiped off the map forever.
A fire in mysterious circumstances in 1905 gutted the building -Credit:Owners’ photo
Until one day a couple decided to put their heart and soul, and endure a tsunami of stress, into trying to bring this Georgian gem back to life in surely one of Wales’ most epic renovation projects.
The Grade II listed site, which includes the gardens, stables, walled garden and dovecote, appears to have been a home for many centuries, with Cadw stating in their 2000 visit listing notes there is evidence of a former house on the site dating back to Tudor times.
Fully restored to its former glory by a very determined couple -Credit:Savills, Cardiff
The Neoclassical masterpiece was built around 1830 for Colthurst Bateman, and it is thought the older house that was constructed for MP Edmund Kemeys, was incorporated into the new design as the servants’ wing, with a datestone of 1616 said to have been moved to be displayed at the main house.
Surrounded by sweeping and far-reaching views, gently undulating fields and pockets of ancient woodland, the site has offered a tranquil and nature immersed existence for centuries and the location was one of the driving factors for the couple to take on the challenge of their lives.
Where foliage once invaded and cows roamed there’s now a house packed with era appropriate features -Credit:Savills, Cardiff
According to the couple’s daughter Sonia, who has her business based at the site, says it was a time of inspiration and vision followed by years of stress.
She says: “They were actually looking to downsize from a reasonably sized house, not take on a massive project, but a friend pointed it out to my sister, she phoned my dad and they went and had a look; and were captivated, they could see that it could become something special, and the views from there are absolutely spectacular. When they first visited the house, what was now the hallway had cattle wandering around in there!”
The marble columns and sweeping stairway, after months of research, reflect the style of the architect thought to have designed the original house -Credit:Savills, Cardiff
Sonia’s parents have a background in property and development but this project was to be their home and was at a level so epic that everyone said they were absolutely mad to take on a totally derelict mansion. Sonia says: “And we thought they were mad too, the roof was off, much of the walls were down, it was in a terrible state, but they were not adverse to a challenge, and they’re both very, very determined people.”
There have been many memorable Christmas dinners and family meals in this impressive dining room -Credit:Savills, Cardiff
Many people might be surprised to discover that this comprehensive reviving, restoring and renovating of a building in such a poor state only took three years and Sonia says much of that is down to her parents planning, and hard work and commitment that never waivered.
Although the couple hired a planning consultant and had architect plans drawn up, Sonia says the vision was all in their heads and they ‘went for it like a bull at a gate’. She adds: “They didn’t ever find out who the original architect was but they did understand that he was a pupil of Sir John Soane, and so they went to the various places that he developed around the country to try to make it (the renovation) as authentic as possible.”
One of the restored reception rooms with multiple windows and an ornate plaster ceiling that took many months to create -Credit:Savills, Cardiff
Of course there was the structural and construction side of the project – a roof, chimneys, windows, doors and walls, and the couple did put in place an impressive team of skilled craftspeople to work on the project, but a lot of the research and design elements to recreate the interiors of the mansion were down to Sonia’s mother’s vision that she worked on alongside the building beginning to literally rise like a phoenix from the ashes.
Wander through the substantial home now and each room has moments of visual excitement and period splendour, from the visually stunning plasterwork ceilings to the ornate cornicing and light roses, from the Georgian style fireplaces to the sweeping staircase and marble columns, all complemented by the most intricate additions, such as statues in alcoves, gold framed portraits and regency style furniture.
The kitchen leads into a more intimate and every day dining space -Credit:Savills, Cardiff
Sonia says: “She does have a real artistic flair and a talent for attention to detail, she didn’t use any interior designers or any help, she did it all herself. They had all the cornice and everything created as a one-off, all bespoke – she would draw what she thought could be achieved, with specialists working alongside her.
“The marble and woodwork throughout the house was imported from Penang, they went over there and sourced everything they could for the house.”
The heated indoor swimming pool is one of the owners’ favourite places inside the mansion -Credit:Savills, Cardiff
As the project progressed so did the support from residents in the area and people with a past connection to the house and estate, and Sonia says it meant so much to her parents.
She says: “They were pleasantly surprised by the interest and enthusiasm of the local community. A lot of people, locally, came along with photographs, anecdotes, and historical records, and they were bowled over by that. Everyone was saying, ‘Oh, we can’t believe you’re going to do this. It’s amazing’. Everyone was really pleased, so that was really nice.
“Somebody brought along a ledger with details of wages in shillings, from goodness only knows when, from before it was burnt down, and my dad loved that because he loved history, so obviously that will all stay with the house, everything we found or people gave us.”
Each bedroom has its own view of the grounds which extend to over 100 acres -Credit:Savills, Cardiff
Every renovation has stressful times, pressure moments and unexpected challenges and, at this level of recreation, Sonia says although her parents were very determined, the project was also incredibly stressful, including initially being refused planning permission to even begin the recreation of this notable house.
During the project the immediate family had concerns, Sonia says: “We were so proud of them because it’s pretty spectacular but we were also worried about them because they had been so very, very stressed, to be honest I was relieved when it was over.
Each bedroom and ensuite has been given much interior design thought and detail to create unique spaces -Credit:Savills, Cardiff
“Dad loved living in the house that they saved, it was absolutely his pride and joy, every day he would look out of the window at the gardens and say, ‘oh, isn’t it marvellous’. My mum loves the sociable kitchen diner area and the indoor swimming pool because they are linked and she swims every day. The dining room is also beautiful at Christmas time.
The attention to detail includes using the same pattern material on the duo of mirrors as the wallpaper behind the bath -Credit:Savills, Cardiff
The house is still loved and lived in, the cottages in the grounds are still used, including as a base for businesses, so the house has not been lonely for its more recent chapter in its long history, but now it’s time for the downsize in property to actually happen.
It is unclear exactly how much the couple spent over the years bringing this Welsh heritage gem back to life, with Sonia adding, ‘I’d rather not think about it!’ but in her view it was totally worth it because Bertholey is ‘one of a kind’.
Within the 161 acres of land are lakes and woodland, a fountain and natural spring plus a double walled garden -Credit:Savills, Cardiff
She says: “You go up a long, winding drive and you suddenly see the house at the top, it’s amazing and it’s easy to take it for granted when you are there every day, as I work at one of the businesses that operates out of the outbuildings.
“It’s so peaceful there, with the walled garden and the waterfall at the front, but there’s also the woodland area with multiple walks which is really lovely, you go through the woods down to the lakes, it’s really lovely, beautiful.
The estate includes a number of cottages and outbuildings used as homes and for businesses -Credit:Savills, Cardiff
“It’s a grand building but also welcoming, and it is very much loved. We are very sad to be letting it go, it will be emotional.” The Monmouthshire mansion is for sale for offers in excess of £5m with Savills, Cardiff, call 029 2036 8900 to find out more.
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