Llanerchaeron.

While in Wales last weekend we took the opportunity to visit a local country manor.

Llanerchaeron is a typical eighteenth century Welsh country estate which was owned by the same family for ten generations. Following the death of Mr. J P Ponsonby Lewes in 1989 it was left to the National Trust and over a period of years has been restored.

The original part of the house was designed and extended in 1790 by John Nash. In fact some of  the exterior windows are actually fake to tie in with his typically symmetrical designs.

Upon entering the house we were greeted by many little critters, stuffed and mounted on the wall. This family predominantly engaged in hunting and shooting.

All the cornices were uncovered where necessary and repaired...the detail is amazing. Each room has a different design.

The ceilings in the formal reception rooms are covered with beautiful wallpaper.

The rooms all have a homely feel, not gaudy or opulent.

There were obvious examples of fine silver and furniture...

but the rooms had warmth and character...

and I got the impression that real people had lived here.

A pretty hearth in one of the bedrooms.

The kitchen where the food was cooked but not prepared.

All the game was prepared in the scullery, ready for the cook.

A little laundry to be done...

We ventured outside to find a still working farm...with pigs...no photos too smelly!

Gorgeous outbuildings.

A lovely glimpse into how the Welsh gentry lived.