Property features

• One of the most attractive period properties in West Wales.
• Luxurious accommodation with eight bedrooms spread over four floors.
• Charming views down the valley and over the Towy estuary.
• Two additional residences/letting units and stone outbuildings.
• Ten acres of mixed paddocks, woodland and meticulously landscaped gardens.
• Complete rural seclusion yet a ten minutes’ drive from Carmarthen.

Summary

Approaching Upland Mansion along its sweeping driveway, there is a point as the frontage of this grand property comes into full view which will leave any visitor at a loss for words. This stunning period property, standing proud on the hills above the Towy estuary, is arguably one of the most impressive and captivating properties we have had the pleasure of marketing. Restoration of this Grade II listed home with the previous owners around twenty years ago and has been completed by the current owners who are its latest stewards. The home now offers sumptuous living space over its four floors and is surrounded by meticulously planned gardens that perfectly frame this peerless residence. The home offers commanding views down the river valley and over the surrounding countryside. It also enjoys the sun throughout the day until it sets over the rolling green hills to the west. The nearest beach is a five-minute drive away.  

The farmhouse to the rear of the mansion house is believed to date to the mid-1600s. The stunning addition of the main mansion portion in 1775 was to create the grand home of Lady Anne Hamilton at the heart of the original 2000 acre estate. Along with the listing on the main home, The Stables to the rear is also a fascinating structure and is believed to have been designed by one of Britain’s most famous architects, John Nash.  Nash lived in Carmarthenshire for over ten years before returning to London to complete his most famous works, including the remodelling of Buckingham Palace.  

The longhouse at the rear of the mansion could easily be integrated back into the main home but it currently stands as a four bedroom separate property. In addition to this structure there is a two bedroom gardeners’ cottage at the rear of the main property to provide even more accommodation. Both properties are let on rolling short term tenancies. Along with the aforementioned Stables, there is also a large garage/workshop which combines an original building with a more modern extension to provide excellent dry storage over two levels, and parking for five vehicles.  

You enter the main house through a grand central hallway which connects the ground floor reception rooms.  To your right is a large drawing room, currently with a dining area, formed from two smaller reception rooms. This lovely space has two large windows overlooking the front of the property as well as two internal windows to the orangery along with a twin fireplace along the southern wall. On the other side of the hallway is a separate living room with a wood burner at its heart. A door leads from the living room into the high quality kitchen, which perfectly balances a classic countryside feel with modern conveniences. At the rear of the property are two hallway/utility areas, one of which leads into the stunning orangery. This beautiful space overlooks the gardens and is a tasteful addition that captures the original character of the property. Completing the ground floor accommodation is a large pantry, a cloakroom and stairs down to the large basement. Along with the grand cantilevered staircase from the entrance hallway there is a servants’ staircase which also gives access to all the floors above.  

On the first floor of the house there are four ensuite bedrooms, with the two at the front of the property enjoying beautiful views of the gardens and of the Towy River estuary.  The servants’ staircase takes you up to the second floor which would have originally housed the domestic staff of the property. On this second floor there are another four bedrooms, one of which is ensuite, along with a family bathroom.  

Extending to approximately ten acres, the grounds that surround Upland Mansion now wonderfully reflect the character and charm of the main house. The twin driveways that lead to the home pass through woodland and gardens before revealing the front of the property to you. The current owners have gone to great lengths to craft the gardens into a beautiful extension of the style and elegance of the mansion and have created a formal garden, orchard and an avenue that offers hours of enjoyment for anyone lucky enough to visit them. In addition to the gardens there are mature broadleaf woodlands that skirt the driveway as it leads up to the quiet country lane that accesses the home. There is also a good-sized paddock that could provide ideal grazing for a purchaser with an equestrian interest.  

It is hard to imagine another such a well-presented and well-preserved country estate as Upland Mansion. Having lost none of its surrounding buildings to outside purchasers or the ravages of time, this peerless residence is undoubtedly one of the finest to grace the open market in West Wales for some time. However, even with all this grandeur and weight of history upon it, Upland Mansion is still at its heart is a warm, welcoming, and delightful family home.  

Details

Main House

Entrance Hall
Entering the property via the portico covered entrance, you arrive in the large and impressive hall. This space leads to the curving cantilevered staircase which takes you up to the first floor. To either side of the hallway are doors to the two reception rooms, with a door to the rear of the hall leading into a servants’ corridor and the second staircase which leads to the second and third floors, and a door leading to the pantry.

Drawing Room
To the right hand side of the entrance hall sits the principal reception room. This large entertaining space overlooks the front of the property through two large windows, with two further windows looking into the orangery at the side of the building. Two fireplaces sit along the side wall of the room, with the fireplace in the larger space boasting a wood burning stove that is ideal for colder evenings. Throughout the property there has been a remarkable drive to match the surviving original coving, architraves and ceiling roses that date from when the property was first built. These flourishes help retain the feeling of grandeur that flows through the property.   

Living Room
To the other side of the entrance hallway, the spacious living room provides another perfect entertaining space. With two windows to the front of the property and a wood burning stove to match the drawing room. There have been several custom-made bookcases added to the space including alongside the door that leads through into the kitchen on the rear wall. Exposed floorboards add a feeling of warmth to this sunny and bright space.

Kitchen
To the rear of the dining room is a well-proportioned family kitchen. With an external door to the side of the property leading into the enclosed sun/boot room and two windows to the rear, this sunny room forms a perfect hub for the house. The kitchen comprises of French oak cabinetry matched with a mixture of wood and solid granite worktops. There is ample space to allow for informal dining and more preparation space. A Rangemaster stove with double oven and five-ring hob are complemented by plumbing for a large American-style fridge/freezer. On the far wall of the kitchen a door leads into the rear hallway which connects the rest of the ground floor rooms.

Sun / Boot Room
Added by the current owners is this handy sunroom which is accessed via the door at the side of the kitchen. The fully glazed front of the room perfectly matches the property and offers a sheltered space to enter the main home. To the side, is a potting shed and woodstore.

Rear Hallway / Utility
Running along the back of the main house, this hallway leads directly to the orangery with a door on the right hand wall to the servants’ staircase and the inner hallway which connects back to the entrance hall. There is an alcove on the right hand wall which houses plumbing for a washing machine, with the ground floor cloakroom on the left hand side. The original door to the longhouse at the rear of the main property is still set in the rear wall but has been blocked up on the other side. This could be easily reopened, however, if the two buildings were required to be reconnected. There is also a door to the pantry.

Cloakroom
A useful cloakroom is positioned off the rear hallway, with a lavatory, hand basin, and window to the rear of the house.

Orangery
The large orangery was added to the property to create an additional reception area in keeping with the original structure. Overlooking the garden with huge windows to three sides, this wonderful space allows you to take in the beautiful outlook that surrounds the property. A solid roof with a large glazed roof lantern allows even more natural light into the space. French windows open out to the side of the room, allowing direct access to the gardens.

Inner Hallway
The rear hallway also has a door to another hallway that leads back to the entrance hall. This space is currently utilised as a storage space as you can also access the main hall from the servants’ staircase which is next to it. These stairs rise all the way to the second floor which would have been the original living quarters for the household staff. There is a door to the large basement.

Basement
Consisting of two large rooms, the basement adds even more flexible space to this expansive residence. This space offers dry storage and would be a fantastic wine cellar. It even has a window to the side of the home that brings in natural light.

First Floor Landing
From the main central staircase you arrive at the grand first floor landing. There is a door to the servants’ staircase which takes you to the second floor above. Doors to all four bedrooms radiate off this space with a large window on the split landing of the staircase to the rear bringing in natural light.

Bedroom One
Whilst all the bedrooms on the first floor are double ensuites, the large double on the southeastern corner of the building is a fitting master. With windows to two sides and a decorative fireplace as another focal point, this space would be a joy to wake up in.

Ensuite Shower Room
The master ensuite has a window overlooking the front of the property, along with a spacious and bright feel. The facilities are completed with a shower, lavatory, and hand basin.

Bedroom Two
This beautiful space also sits at the front of the property with views over the neighbouring fields to the estuary. Another good-sized double, this bedroom could easily be considered as a rival to the master bedroom next door.

Ensuite Shower Room
Again, like the master bedroom, this space includes a shower, hand basin, and lavatory.

Bedroom Three
To the rear of the property but with two windows in the southeastern wall overlooking the garden, this good-sized double would make a lovely guest suite.

Ensuite Shower Room
With a shower, lavatory, and hand basin, this ensuite is a practical addition to this bedroom. 

Bedroom Four
Situated on the northwestern corner of the building, this bedroom looks out over the fields to the side. Another good-sized double, this bedroom is warm and inviting. 

Ensuite Shower Room
With a window to the rear of the house this ensuite, like the others, has a shower, lavatory, and hand basin.

Second Floor Landing
The servants’ staircase leads you up to the second floor of the building which houses four more bedrooms. There is also access here via another staircase to the attic space which offers even more storage for the house below.

Bedroom Five
Situated above the master bedroom, this good-sized double offers even more sleeping space to the property. With the same outlook as the master, this bedroom would be a fantastic residence for any house guests.

Ensuite Shower Room
The fifth and final ensuite bathroom offers a shower, sink, and lavatory, along with a cupboard housing one of the property’s hot water tanks.

Bedroom Six
Situated at the front of the building, this good-sized room offers another bedroom or indeed sitting room for this level of the house. It currently provides the owners with a fabulous office space with stunning views down the valley. With Upland Mansion being ideally suited for a multigenerational family, this top level could almost function completely separately from the house below.

Bedroom Seven
To the southeastern side of the property sits another double bedroom with two windows to the side overlooking the gardens. All of the rooms on this level retain the same decorative fireplaces as those found on the first floor.

Bedroom Eight
Situated at the rear of the building, with two windows, this room would provide the eighth and final double bedroom or one of the many options for a home office or study as it is currently used.

Family Bathroom
Positioned at the rear of the building, this family bathroom serves three of the four bedrooms on this level. With a window to the rear, feature roll top bath in the centre of the room, shower, hand basin, and lavatory, this would be a lovely space to relax and unwind. A cupboard in the corner of the room houses another of the property’s hot water tanks.

Longhouse
Attached to the rear of the main house is a two-storey four-bedroom self-contained residence. Previously, this space has been set up as two separate apartments, one on each floor. It could easily be returned to this layout by reinstalling a kitchen space in the large first-floor living room if required. Currently the building offers four bedrooms, two ensuite, and a family bathroom. With a reception room on each level there is ample entertaining space on offer too, with a well-equipped kitchen off the ground floor living space.

Cottage
Positioned away from the main residence there is an additional two bedroom former gardener’s cottage. With a kitchen diner and separate living room on the ground floor, and two bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor, this property would be ideal for extended family or as a rental unit.

Former Coach House, Garage and Stables
In addition to the three habitable buildings there is the aforementioned John Nash Stables and large garage block. The garage block comprises an original building with a later block addition which provides excellent storage for five vehicles and belongings. There is a second-floor to the garage which adds even more storage and workspace to the building, a potential office or games room.
 
The Stables is a beautiful structure and well worthy of its Grade II listing. The structure includes numerous external features and on the inside are a superbly preserved collection of stalls with original cobble floors.
 
Both of these structures could be converted to additional living space, subject to relevant planning, or provide excellent storage as they currently stand.

External
You are guided down to the property via a long sweeping tarmac driveway which leads through woodland to the gardens which surround the property. The Wales Coast Path crosses the driveway, making this a perfect property for owners that want to explore this beautiful stretch of coastline. Taking the lower of the two driveways, you pass through the gardens before the mansion is revealed to you in all its glory. There is a large gravel parking area to the front of the home, next to an elevated seating area to take in the spectacular views.  
 
The gardens that surround the estate match the grandeur of this impressive residence. The current owners have gone to great lengths to capture the essence of the property and reflect it back into the gardens that surround it. Careful planning has created a beautiful avenue and sheltered walks that take you away from the home and perfectly frame views back towards it. There have been numerous specimen shrubs and trees planted along with an orchard at the end one of the avenue.
 
There is a second driveway which leads up to the rear of the estate and gives separate access to the longhouse and gardener’s cottage along with the garage block and the surrounding former walled garden which now serves as a handy courtyard. The longhouse at the rear of the main residence and the gardener’s cottage both have their own gardens which give them, and the main house, privacy and peace.
 
Beyond the main gardens the land extends to approximately ten acres in total. This includes mixed broadleaf woodland and pasture. The land gently slopes away to the south and accommodates beautiful views of the estuary and the setting sun.

Directions
Approaching Carmarthen from either the east via the A48 or the west via the A40, proceed to the large Pensarn roundabout where the two roads join. Take the exit onto the A484 signposted for Llanelli and follow the A484 over the next two roundabouts.
 
Stay on the A484 for approximately 4 miles, passing through the village of Cwmffrwd and ignoring the left hand turn to the B4309. Proceed through the village of Idole and when you reach Upland Arms. Take the right hand turn just past the 40mph sign. Follow this lane until you reach two bungalows on your right hand side (the original gate lodges to the Upland estate) and take the lane between them.
 
Follow this lane until you see the gates to Upland Mansion on your left hand side. Proceed down the driveway and take the left hand fork when you reach the bottom which will lead you to the front of the property.

Floor Plans