St David’s Day was the perfect opportunity to visit Powis Castle for lunch before a walk round the house and gardens. Later there was an opportunity for a naughty cake (almond slice) in the café next to the Ludlow food centre.

Glansevern Hall is privately owned and not open to the public. A property listing from when the house was up for sale in 2012 provides information on the history of the house and gardens:

Glansevern Hall is approached by a drive running through an avenue of sweet chestnut trees behind a high stone wall.

Understood to be unique as a private residence wholly conceived and erected by renowned architect Joseph Bromfield, Glansevern Hall is a fine example of early neo-classical design, built between 1801 and 1807 for the Owen family.

The main southern façade, finished in Cefn stone is five bays, the central three being highlighted by four giant Ionic pilasters and a central porch. The west and east fronts have five bays, the east has a central full height bow. The three main reception rooms, the Chinese room, the drawing room and dining room/library, all have a range of fittings from the original build. These include panelling, fireplaces, screens, floorboards and a fireplace over-mantel. Many of these items were not new at the time but reused from other property owned or controlled by the Owen family.

The gardens are understood to have been designed in 1805 and reputed to have been ‘magnificent’ in their day and suffered neglect from 1939 to 1982. Since 1982 full scale renovation of the gardens has been undertaken. There is a wide range of unusual tree species with fine specimens both mature and more recently planted. Features of the original garden such as the walled kitchen garden remain. The massive rock garden, with its grotto, came a little later as did the 4-acre lake whose feeder stream runs through a large water garden.

A fine orangery faces south from the walled garden. Other borders and features seen today have been the inspiration of the current owners since 1982.

The parkland surrounding the house and gardens steps naturally down over terraces to the River Severn. Now farmed for sheep, the parkland is sub divided into 11 fields having an array of mature trees within them, including a line of mature limes by the River Severn. There is a range of sheep buildings at the back of the stable yard. The park is listed as an historic parkland with Cadw.

Click here to see a brochure showing how lovely the grounds and the interior of the house are.