A substantial house delivering space, light and obvious potential(Image: TAUK)

Huge house in Welsh town lived in by group of women who never spoke or mixed with anyone

by · Wales Online

There are some buildings in Wales that offer an owner a list of positive features such as space, light, and character but also a special vibe because of their distinctive past.

For anyone looking for a property with sprawling spaces plus a history that is intriguing and engaging then maybe Greenfield House ticks all these boxes.

The building looks grand, if not a bit tired, from the front. Step inside and a journey through multiple large rooms awaits – a visitor might also need a map or a trail of breadcrumbs to find their way back to the entrance hall such is the space on offer. For more home, renovation and interiors stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here.

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Multiple reception rooms, a kitchen with original features, a sizeable cellar, up to 10 bedrooms, a separate annexe apartment, and a delightful walled garden are just some of the highlights within the property.

The classic Georgian design of light from large windows, high ceilings, and spacious rooms across the sprawling floorplan of this early 19th-century house made it ideal as a candidate for a convent when the Carmelite community were looking for a Welsh home in the early 1950s.

But arguably the church next door has an even more engaging history than the house having been designed in 1954 by young up and coming architect Francis Pollen who went on to design notable buildings at Worth Abbey and Downside Abbey.

It is a simple design because the plan was that the nuns at Carmel House would build most of it themselves and the story goes that they did just that – including using old stone from the ruins of Welsh religious buildings as part of the structure.

After the construction was complete the convent became 'enclosed' and direct contact with the outside world all but ceased. The nuns left in 1988 and since then the house has been a private home.

Tucked away behind some vast mature trees by a road into the town of Presteigne the house can offer seclusion inside its substantial floorplan and enclosed walled garden and yet is within walking distance to the town centre.

Nestled into the Powys country landscape next to the border with England the town is considered an enticing place to live with views and outdoor activities on the doorstep as well as boasting the only official Dark Sky town in England and Wales.

There are a variety of community groups, a busy timetable of events such as the annual festival plus, independent shops and eateries and a population of less than 3,000 with a core value of supporting each other as well as taking pride in their town.

The house is now on the market again with a guide price of £360,000 but is being sold via secure sale online bidding. To find out more contact estate agent TAUK on 01432 278278.

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The house dates back to the early 19th century hence its classic Georgian design features including symmetry, large, multi-paned windows with fancy carved pediment above, and a columned porchway called a portico.(Image: TAUK)
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In 1985 the property was given a Grade II listing from Cadw for being "an early 19th-century house retaining its character and with group value with Church of our Lady of the Assumption & St Therese". This is one of the 10 bedrooms inside the house and boasts a huge curved bay wall that's home to two windows plus a boarded-up fireplace that hopefully has a period fireplace hiding behind it.(Image: TAUK)
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A clue to the property's more intriguing past chapter is its neighbour, a Grade II-listed church. In 1951 the Carmelite community arrived in the town of Presteigne and established an order of nuns at the house, which was from then on known as Carmel House. A number of reception rooms have doors that open onto the delightful walled garden.(Image: TAUK)
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