Ceredigion author shares memories of Nanteos before its closure, highlighting its history, beauty, and cultural impact.
It’s a perfect small mansion. The drive there builds excitement. You leave the main road, going through woods. The Italianate Lodge narrows the road even more as trees surround you. Suddenly, a lake shows up with an island, and then you see the mansion in a sunny spot. Lawns lead to the Paith valley.
This Grade I listed place is magical. It has the right scale and is well kept, with great rooms and bedroom suites. Stables, a garden, and a service wing exist alongside kennels, a lodge, a lake, and trees. You can imagine the Powell family living there.
Some people married at Nanteos. They said they felt like owners that day. It was special—a moment frozen in time.
Nanteos was built in George II’s time. The house and family have a story, which I learned from Gerald Morgan’s book. The same family owned it from the 1750s to the 1950s, when the last Mrs. Powell died. There was grief and trouble there; the last male heir died in World War I’s final days. In the 1700s, the Squires faced ruin, fighting The Crown in lead wars.
George Ernest John Powell owned Nanteos from 1878 to 1882. He’s the subject of my third novel. He loved the Marquis de Sade and was famous even when alive. A friend of Swinburne and others, he loved the arts, supporting artists and Icelandic freedom. He first showed the Nanteos Cup to the public.
Many shows featured Nanteos. In 2014, someone stole the Nanteos Cup. Some thought it was the Grail, which a Powell relative owned. People found it in a lay-by, and it is now safe at the National Library.
Nanteos is said to be haunted. “Ghost Hunters International” went there, looking for paranormal activity. They could not explain some things, and something felt strange in the house.
I wrote about Elizabeth Powell, the “Y Ladi Wen” ghost. The house was a construction site then. I walked through it and saw gems. Writing it was a risk because the house might not become a hotel. Shane Lipscombe restored it greatly, and “The Shadow of Nanteos” was a hit. I promoted it in the the UK and North America.
I wrote the second novel at the mansion. It’s called “Nanteos: The Dipping Pool”. We had building work at home for six months. I needed quiet for the 1700s, working in the empty rooms all day. It was published in 2020, selling well at first; however, shops closed for five months, and marketing was not allowed.
A big launch was planned with 80 guests. Champagne, food, and a taster experience were set, but the launch became 30 people instead. Masks were required, and they sat far apart. No alcohol could be served, and I spoke behind a screen. It got canceled, which was devastating for me. Shane stayed at the mansion through lockdown, and we filmed videos there each week. I wore different outfits, and the videos are on hunting, Powells, and Christmas.
The hotel reopened later, a bit battered.
Interest grew with new books. Janet Joel wrote one about life there, and another book is about the Nanteos Grail.
Christmas 2024 showed the mansion’s best. Music played, pies and wine smelled wonderful, and people filled the rooms.
Manager Claire Stott starts her difficult job. I hope a new owner will appear. They can keep this house alive. No flats or housing, please. Someone with money and vision is needed. We want them to keep Nanteos open.