Talardd

Unique is a word often overused to describe a property, however in the case of Talardd, it is certainly fitting. Dating back to the 14th century, this Grade II listed property retains its original medieval great hall as its primary reception space. Talardd underwent a thorough and sympathetic restoration in 1997 which enabled the owners to bring some modern comforts to this historic structure. Several modern features, like the underfloor heating and solar PV system, were added whilst retaining all the character of the original building. This historic property shares a connection to the ancient churches and the nearby Dinefwr Castle, with a tunnel once rumoured to connect the buildings and allow access for Talardd's original resident Cistercian monks.

Set in approximately sixty four acres of prime farmland and woods, the grounds and gardens complement this exceptional property. The sweeping Cennen river winds its way through the grounds of the property, with over thirteen hundred feet of riverbank included with the sale. Situated in the heart of this beautiful setting, Talardd enjoys idyllic rural seclusion. There are six acres of gardens surrounding the property that the current owners have lovingly created. This includes an impressive and productive walled garden which would be a dream for any gardener.

You enter the main house through a central hallway which opens into the large open plan kitchen/dining room to the right, and the medieval great hall to your left. The kitchen offers a fantastic workspace for any chef, with a beautiful finish to the worktops and cabinetry that perfectly matches the rest of the property. This room is large enough to accommodate a spacious dining area at the far end of the room and is an ideal place for a family gathering. The great hall is truly the focal point for this stunning property, with your gaze sweeping up past the first floor mezzanine to the beams of the roof high above. A perfect entertaining space, this room features a massive wood burning stove and the breath-taking medieval stonework. Completing the ground floor accommodation is a bright drawing room off the great hall and a flexible utility or study at the rear of the building.

On the first and second floor of the house are five very spacious double bedrooms, three with ensuite bath/shower rooms. There is also an impressive family bathroom along with the additional seating area created by the mezzanine that runs around the first floor of the great hall.

In addition to the main property there are three separate outbuildings which includes a one/two bedroom fully renovated cottage. One of the large outbuildings is laid out with exceptional stabling making the estate ideal for equestrian owners. There is huge scope for further conversion of the remaining outbuildings, which would make ideal holiday rental units, if required.

Talardd perfectly combines the elegance and history of this exceptional house with the beauty of its setting. While it basks in its rural seclusion, the county town of Carmarthen is within fifteen minutes' drive has easy access to the south Wales M4 corridor. The opportunity presented by the outbuildings and the letting cottage on the site are also sure to impress any visitor. While the history found in the stones of this stunning property is clear to see, the opportunity it presents for its future owner is equally as exciting.

Entrance Hallway
The grand wooden door that serves as the formal entrance to the property opens into a hall that runs through the centre of the ground floor. With beams above, exposed stonework to the walls, and slate flagstones running along the floor, this grand hallway gives any visitor a fitting welcome to this truly impressive property. The hallway opens into the great hall on the left and the kitchen/dining room to the right. At the end of the hall you find another external door to the rear of the house, along with an internal door to the utility/study.

Kitchen / Dining Room
Wrapping around the north eastern side of the main house, this large room houses the kitchen and a large dining area. The kitchen has been redone in a dark hardwood to match the feel of the property, with granite worktops complementing the quality cabinetry. A 1.5 sink, double oven and seven ring gas hob make this a dream workspace for any chef. The room enjoys windows on two sides, with wooden shutters that are a feature of every window in the property.

Great Hall
One of the most magnificent reception spaces you will find in any home, this space rivals most stately homes with its size and grandeur. With a vaulted ceiling which rises above the main living area and the first floor mezzanine that circles it, this room is truly jaw dropping. Believed to be one of the oldest parts of the property, this hall is thought to date back to the 14th century. With stunning stonework which includes the grand doorway out to the rear of the property, this hall would not be out of place one of the many castles found in the area. At its heart is a massive central fireplace which now houses a very large wood burner. Four windows to the front of the property bring in natural light with a further two found on the first floor. With so many other additional features, this grand space should be seen in person to be fully appreciated.

Drawing Room
During the renovation work at the property, planning permission was granted to extend the structure to the eastern end with this three storey addition. Seamlessly integrating into the original structure, this added an additional drawing room and two bedrooms above it. Despite its generous size, the drawing room creates a more intimate reception room that acts as a perfect foil to the great hall. The space also enjoys windows to three sides and a flue for a wood burning stove. The exposed beams on the roof and walls expertly tie this space into the original building.

Study / Store
At the end of the entrance hallway there is a door to a flexible space that may have once served as the kitchen for the property. Still retaining the inglenook and sink, along with some built in storage, it also provides a flexible workspace. Off this room there is also an enclosed pantry with shelving, a good-sized storage space for any manner of goods.

First Floor Landing
The staircase to the first floor of the property is part of the original medieval structure and would not be out of place in a castle tower. Leading up from the side of the great hall, the exposed stone and slate slabs, found on the stairs and the roof, make this a truly fascinating space. The staircase leads up to a landing area which connects the second and fifth bedrooms in this side of the property. The third bedroom is accessed from an additional staircase that leads up to the top floor of the property. The landing also opens into the mezzanine that skirts the first floor level of the great hall and leads to the remaining two bedrooms.

Bedroom Five / Studio Office Space
Situated at the top of the medieval staircase, the first bedroom you come to is currently utilised as an office. A window to the eastern side of the house brings in natural light with wonderful exposed beams and stonework.

Bedroom Two
This bright bedroom overlooks the front and side of the house with windows to both aspects. This large double has ample space for freestanding furniture and, with the luxurious family bathroom next door, would make a fantastic guest bedroom.

Family Bathroom
Positioned between bedrooms two and five, this splendid bathroom is a fantastic space. With a free standing roll-top bath at its centre, this bathroom is the height of luxury. A shower cubicle, hand basin, lavatory, and built in airing cupboard complete the facilities. There is a window to the western side of the property with an external staircase leading down to ground level.

Bedroom Three
Situated on the top floor of this wing, this room provides another double bedroom into the eaves of the roof. This large bedroom has a window to the northern side of the property along with an ensuite shower room.

Ensuite Shower Room
With a shower, lavatory, and hand basin, this shower room completes the accommodation on the second floor of this wing of the house.

Great Hall Upper Level
Overlooking the great hall, this raised wooden mezzanine provides an additional seating area and connects to the east wing which houses the master and fourth bedrooms. Two windows to the northern side of the property overlook the gardens and bring in more natural light to the hall below. From this level you can also see the spectacular custom made chandelier that hangs above this space. This stunning light feature mirrors the medieval chandeliers found throughout the property.

Master Bedroom Suite
From the mezzanine in the great hall you enter a small hallway with stairs up to bedroom four and a door into the master bedroom. With windows to three sides, this impressive bedroom overlooks the river as it meanders through the grounds of the property.

Ensuite Shower Room
Off the master bedroom this impressive ensuite offers a steam shower, hand basin, and lavatory.

Bedroom Four
Situated on the second floor above the master, this bedroom would be ideal for younger children with its proximity to bedroom one. The bedroom is positioned in the eaves of the property and benefits from a window to the east.

Ensuite Bathroom
Off bedroom four, this bathroom offers a hand basin, bath, and lavatory.

External Utility / Boot Room
To the rear of the property there is an external utility room offering more dry storage space along with housing the properties heating system and spring water system which provides the property with excellent quality, off-grid, drinking water. At the other end of this structure is an outdoor gardener's toilet.

Cottage
Across the central courtyard from the main house is the self-contained cottage. With accommodation over two floors it can offer one/two bedrooms depending on the needs of the occupier. Be it for extended family or as a rental unit, this property is another fantastic selling point for Talardd.

Kitchen / Dining Room
You enter the cottage into the ground floor living space. This open plan space includes a fully fitted kitchen and space for a dining and living area. Three storage cupboards line the right hand wall with one housing the cottage's separate boiler. A staircase leads up to the first floor of the cottage.

First Floor Living Room / Bedroom Area
The first room on this level is a flexible space that could form a separate living room and sleeping area. The primary bedroom is accessed off this so, depending on the number of residents, it could be set up in a number of ways. This room is flooded with natural light from two Velux rooflights and an impressive ventilation slit, now fully glazed, in the end wall.

Shower Room
To the rear of this room is an enclosed shower room with lavatory, shower cubicle, and hand basin.

Bedroom
Off the main first floor space is a separate bedroom lit from another Velux rooflight. This room provides ample space for a double bed and freestanding furniture, with the exposed stonework of the internal wall providing a charming feature.

Workshop and Garage
The building that contains the cottage also extends to include a spacious garage and large workshop and store. The garage is accessed from the rear of the building and could easily accommodate several vehicles or other machinery. The workshop has a separate door to the rear garden and is the perfect space to house, and work on, garden machinery. Next door to the workshop is another large space which could provide more storage or workshop space as needed. Off this storage room is a smaller, but still very generous, storeroom with built in wooden shelving. Like the rest of the unconverted outbuildings, this space could be ideal for any development of the letting side of the property. There is an array of electricity generating solar panels on the roof at the rear of this building.

Outbuildings
In addition to the large building which houses the cottage and workshop, there are two long stone buildings that flank the central courtyard. Most recently used as stabling for numerous horses, these stone structures offer huge development potential for any buyer. With power and water already connected, these buildings could form the perfect base to expand the letting portfolio, subject to relevant planning. One of the stone outbuildings currently contains excellent stabling for several horses, with the others serving as ideal tack and storage rooms. For an owner interested in equestrian pursuits Talardd would be the ideal property with the grazing on offer complemented by level hard and soft standing with ample space for the construction of a ménage to the rear of the stables.

External
Talardd is approached via a 1,500 foot (450 meters) private tarmac driveway which gives the property complete privacy from its distant neighbours. The driveway sets the property back from the road that connect to it and provides unparalleled privacy and seclusion for the residence. The driveway opens into the courtyard which connects the main house with the three separate blocks of outbuildings. Off the driveway, as you approach the main property, several entrances open into separate gravel yards, giving additional parking or storage space.

The main house stands on a raised bank looking down over the Cennen river which flows past the property. Over 1,300 feet (400 meters) of the river is owned by the property which includes fishing rights to both banks. There are several smaller streams that run through the grounds and gardens to join the Cennen, gently filling the air with the sound of running water.

The gardens at Talardd have been completely overhauled by the current owners who created six acres of mixed gardens and woodland. Careful and well-planned planting has created a beautiful tranquil space that is a joy to walk through. A new walled garden was also built by the current owners with a mixture of mature soft fruit trees growing along its walls. It is an ideal sheltered growing space which would be a delight for any gardener.

The owners have undertaken a reforesting operation which has led to over one thousand trees being planted around the property. This new planting perfectly complements the range of mature oak, metasequoia, silver birch and varied pine trees that are found throughout the grounds.

In addition to the gardens at Talardd, there is approximately sixty four acres of prime pasture included in the sale. Made up of numerous, separate fields, this land surrounds the property and provides a perfect backdrop to its rural setting. The land is currently rented out as grazing but would provide numerous options to any buyer.

Council Tax band - H

Directions
If you are approaching Talardd from the east from the direction of Swansea and Cardiff, continue on the M4 until it becomes the A48 at the Pont Abraham Roundabout. Proceed on the A48 for approximately 4 miles until you reach Cross Hands. At the large roundabout take the third exit onto the A478 signposted for Llandeilo. Proceed on the A476 for around six and a half miles until you reach a right hand turn with a sign on the corner for Thomas Services. Proceed down this small road, taking the left hand turn at the T-junction after the first straight. Bear right past the first property and you enter the driveway to Talardd. Proceed down the driveway (ignoring the gateways to your right and left) and you will arrive in the large tarmac parking area in front of the property.

If you are approaching Talardd from the west via Carmarthen, follow the A40 east until you reach the roundabout where it joins the A48. Take the first exit following the A40 signposted for Llandeilo. At the next roundabout take the third exit signposted for Llangunnor on the B4300. After a short distance turn left, following the B4300 towards Llanarthne. Follow this road for around thirteen miles until it ends at a T-Junction with the A476. Turn right here and proceed for half a mile before turning left by the signpost for Thomas Services, then follow the directions above.