Cefn Mably Estate

I dropped Mrs BB at the local St Mellons Country Club as she likes to swim 1 to 2 miles about three times a week. About ten minutes away is Cefn Mably Country Park. I've been wanting an aerial picture of it for a while, so with 90 minutes before picking her up, I drove there.

There has been a house of some sort since here since the early 12th century. The current house was largely rebuilt in the Tudor architecture style in the 16th century; the east wing was subsequently rebuilt from 1688 in Georgian architecture.


As a manor house, in 1893 it was described by the Cardiff Times as "one of the finest and most historic country seats in Wales". The building was leased by Lord Tredegar at very low cost to the local health authority as a tubercolosis sanatorium in 1924. It subsequently it became a geriatric hospital.

When it closed down in 1983, the building, which was listed, became derelict. A fire raged through the building in 1994: the remains of the building were eventually converted to luxury apartments. Luxury detached houses were built in the surrounding grounds.

The house is said to have been built on the direction of 'Mabel' (hence the name) wife of John, Earl of Gloucester. During the civil war the house was besieged by Parliamentray forces but successfully defended. Charles 11 is believed to have stayed at the house. It has a fascinating history. There was a hiding place behind one of the paintings that when opened by pressure reveals a staircase leading to a vault beneath the library from whence a subterranean passage leads to the river Rumney.
For those who want the heavy history - then click here

I was responsible for Policing the area from 1996 and used to love visiting this derelict site. I believe at one time the singer Bonnie Tyler owned it, but sold it to developers. I remember skilled craftsman working to restore the features ripped out by thieves and vandals. The medieval chapel (to the left of the house in the picture) was restored into a fabulous apartment retaining it's pulpit.

As it was a listed building it's a crime that it was allowed to fall into such a state (you should have seen it!) but a credit to the developers how they rescued it. I used to love dropping in to watch them work.

The estate is now private, protected by CCTV, and has it's own driveway onto the M4 at one end!  The houses start off near £1million. It's  lovely place but I'm not sure I'd want to live there as you need a car to go anywhere. There's no shop or pub within walking distance. I think I prefer a more village atmosphere. However, it remains one of South Wales's premier residential developments.