Abercamlais House

Abercamlais is a splendid Grade 1 listed building, originally dating from the Middle Ages but altered in the 18th Century with Victorian additions.

The history of the house and the Williams family have been bound together since 1066. Thomas de Boulogne fought under Bernard de Neumarch for King William. When de Neumarch was rewarded by the king for his loyalty, he passed on some of the land to de Boulougne.

Thomas Williams (Thomas Ap William and Vicar of Llanspyddid) was a descendant of de Boulougne and built Abercamlais around 1570. His descendants (ten of whom were in Holy Orders) have lived there ever since. Abercamlais was originally tall and thin (consisting only of what is now the East Wing) with a door that faced east. The stone bridge over the Usk was added in 1582.

A larger house with a Georgian front and alterations was added at the turn of the 18^th Century by Thomas Williams.

Later renovations were carried out by Garnons Williams and his wife Catherine, who moved to Abercamlais in 1862. A conservatory was added, along with a larder and plumbing system. Garnons was instrumental in bringing the architect Gilbert Scott to the area, who added the distinctive Porch to the front of Abercamlais.

Architecturally, Abercamlais contains many interesting features.

Robert Scourfield (Buildings of Wales Powys, Pevsner Architectural Guides) described Abercamlais as one of the best surviving early Georgian houses in Wales and noted the following, which sets Abercamlais apart:

• Externally, the C17th structural evidence and the C19th and C20th alterations by (or attributed) to the well-known architects, George Gibert Scott & William Douglas Caröe.
• The excellent state of internal preservation, which is quite rare in Wales, including the superb plasterwork and the open-well staircase.
• The very well documented history over the last 400 to 500 years.