The Yat is an ancient house that has been sensitively and tastefully restored by its current owners, one of whom is an artist. They have retained the character of the house whilst incorporating the convenience of modern facilities.
The house is surrounded by 8 1/2 acres of its own land, part of which is a large garden and orchard, both of which are open to our guests. These back onto common land which is ideal for walkers. The garden also includes our herb and vegetable gardens, in which the owners are trying out permaculture techniques.
History.
The Yat has been much changed and modified over the centuries. It dates back from the 15th century, although there may have been a house on this site long before then. Some believe that the house was built on the site of the monastery, which was set up by St. David in the 6th century. The site certainly has ancient Celtic roots. A beautiful 13th century church stands across the road from the house Baptist ministers lived in the house and once a sermon was given from a window to a congregation of 100 on the front lawn. Within the grounds are the ruins of a baptistry and an ancient Baptist cemetery. When the home of Squire Bevan, he renamed the house 'The Court' and as such it is mentioned, along with its owner by Kilvert in his diary. On old maps it retains this name though a later the original name was restored by its then owner.
IBelied by the apparent back-water peace and quiet of its rural location, Glascwm was once on the main drovers' route between Builth Wells and London. Octavius Vaughan who was born in the house, fought in the Boer wars, where he won medals for bravery. Much later, in the 1960s, it was an English language school, to which an Arabian princess came to learn English, putting all Radnor police on red alert! The current owners are of Polish and Scottish descent.
Green Credentials
The house benefits from underfloor heating, under the flag stone floor, with heat generated by a ground source heat pump. This also supplies the hot water which comes from a spring to the house by gravity. Photovoltaic panels contribute to the use of our electricity. More light and space to the house were added when the oak conservatory was built with its leaded light windows. It is a wonderful place to sit! The bedrooms themselves have been carefully decorated, in some cases using lime plaster and casein paint, or lime wash. One of the bedrooms has an ancient elm floor, which has been carefully restored and polished, using natural waxes.
The owners also support local craftspeople. The beautiful wrought iron ornamental gate, taken from a 17th century design was made a a local artisan. The windows custom made by local carpenters. The owners buy local and organic produce wherever possible.
The house is surrounded by 8 1/2 acres of its own land, part of which is a large garden and orchard, both of which are open to our guests. These back onto common land which is ideal for walkers. The garden also includes our herb and vegetable gardens, in which the owners are trying out permaculture techniques.
They planted 1,000 trees in 1989 and these have grown tall and are home to a great variety of wild life. Fallen trees or wood from thinned trees is used in the wood burners when the weather is cold and damp. There are log fires in the dining room and library.
The name The Yat signifies 'the opening, or the gate' in Welsh. It is perhaps the opening to a new way of thinking and being……
