The Story
Gazing out towards the Skirrid Mountain, the current owner of this impressive country house says that even after more than 50 years he still finds the views breathtaking.
"The best view is over towards the mountain, which is very nice," said John Watkins. "Every time you look it changes. Some days it's foggy, some days it's sunny and in the spring the bluebells come out and it's especially lovely.
"It's constantly changing. You look at it now and then look at it in an hour and it will be totally different."
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Generation game
John moved into Great House at Llantilio Pertholey, near Abergavenny, when he was a child, but the property had been in his family for generations. Though it will be a wrench to leave, now he is retired, he feels he is ready to downsize.
"I've lived here for 56 years. We were a family of six," he said. "The property has come down through my family over the last 200 years. My ancestors moved here in the same year as the Battle of Waterloo."
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History in the making
Great House was built in 1612 for the High Sheriff of Monmouthshire and is featured in Bradney's History of Monmouthshire. Throughout the property echoes of its past remain in a wealth of period features, including oak panelling, exposed beams and fireplaces.
During his time as owner, John has undertaken a number of projects to maintain the historic house sympathetically to a high standard.
"I've refurbished the property in a style in keeping with its age. The windows have been replaced with solid oak and the roof renewed with Welsh slate," he explained.
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Traditional charm
John has chosen to use a simple decorating style which is in harmony with the age of this 400-year-old home and its rural location.
His favourite part of the house is the charming country style kitchen where the solid oak cabinets are perfectly complemented by a flagstone floor and exposed beams. Twin Belfast sinks and a maroon Aga complete the rural style.
"I'm a kitchen man - I live in the kitchen," he said. "The Aga is on all the time in there so no matter what the weather is like, it warms you up."
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Inspiring space
Fireplaces in both the sitting room and drawing room are a delightful feature of this house and the high ceilings enhance the rooms' generous proportions.
"The sitting room has a huge fireplace," he added. "If you wanted to, you could put a wood burner in either room."
With four receptions rooms - there's also a study and a dining room - Great House has ample space for entertaining family and friends in style.
"If you wanted people to come and stay there is plenty of room. It would be perfect for a big family celebration - you could really entertain well here," John continued.
Upstairs there are four bedrooms with further fabulous views over the surrounding countryside and mountains. There's also a large family bathroom and many period features including beams and gorgeous oak panelling.
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Rural living
"Great House would be wonderful for a family looking for a substantial home in an idyllic rural location," John said.
"It's nice and quiet here. I've been a country person all my life and for me it's the scenery and the quietness that make this house special," he added.
"It was a wonderful place to grow up in. You could walk in the Sugar Loaf Mountain. We often used to go on picnics up in the mountains. It's just a great family home."
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Setting the Scene
Great House nestles in the Usk Valley, with the rugged beauty of the mountains providing a magnificent backdrop.
John said: "You look out onto the Skirrid Mountain and from the back of the house you can see the start of the Black Mountains in the distance."
The house is surrounded by walled gardens that include an orchard alongside a wealth of established trees and shrubs. The rear garden features a well and a pond.
"I had a dipper on the pond the other day. We get green and spotted woodpeckers and a family of pigeons has been coming here for 10 years," he continued.
As well as a garage there is an outhouse - once the bake house for Great House - which is now used for storage
John adds: "It's very close to Abergavenny. You start out in town and in five or ten minutes you are home in the countryside."
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HISTORY
"The property has come down through my family over the last 200 years. My ancestors moved here in the same year as the Battle of Waterloo."
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ENTERTAINING
"It would be perfect for a big family celebration - you could really entertain well here."
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RURAL
"It's nice and quiet here. I've been a country person all my life and for me it's the scenery and the quietness that makes this house special."
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