Historic Llancaiach Fawr Manor seeks a new leaseholder. Avison Young manages the lease for Caerphilly Council after mothballing.
Avison Young is seeking a new leaseholder for the Grade I listed property. It includes several buildings, a visitor center, gift shop, and cafe. Mansel Hall is also present as a function suite.
The lease requires operation as a leisure venue. Caerphilly Council owns the freehold, and the leasehold is available. Rent costs and terms are currently unknown.
The council seeks interest in the leasehold of Llancaiach Fawr Manor, which covers twelve acres in the Rhymney Valley. The manor was built in the 1500s and restorations have returned it to its old style.
The manor is secluded but near roads, making it suitable for conferences and weddings, banquets, and business shows. Large events occurred yearly before 2020 there.
Visitor numbers exceeded sixty-one thousand in 2023/24, and the site can accommodate five thousand visitors at once. The manor recently faced budget cuts, leading the council to mothball the site.
Council members worried about vandalism in 2024. Gareth Jones called it a “Welsh treasure” and the borough’s “jewel.” A committee urged the council to find solutions for long-term sustainability.
The council called the mothballing decision “difficult,” aiming to close a forty-five million pound budget gap. Sean Morgan said the mothball period would be short, with new operating plans needed soon.
The mothballing news sparked anger, with protesters shouting “shame on you.” Mr. Morgan said he must protect key services, though. Mansell Hall holds up to two-hundred people, and the conservatory can hold seventy guests with countryside views. Spaces combine for larger events.
The Heritage Lottery Fund helped renovate the manor in 2013, replacing the roof, adding a lift, and restoring the attic to its old style. Llancaiach Fawr Manor closed to the public at the end of 2024.
The closure allows consideration of new operating options, presenting a rare leasing chance. Many revenue ideas exist for the site, and much potential grows for future expansion. Third-party operators have already shown great interest.
Jamie Pritchard said they were committed to finding the right options. The venue offers new operators much potential, and their aim is a strong local economic driver. They want to complement the existing leisure and hospitality offers also should improve.