Allt-y-bella

[paulb33]

Spend 3 quiet minutes in a comfy chair with coffee, iPad & this video: http://vimeo.com/75014297

Stunning restoration.

http://athoughtfuleye.wordpress.com/2013/06/26/arne-maynard-dawn-at-allt-y-bela/
http://www.elleuk.com/travel/places-to-stay/allt-y-bela#image=1
http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/24/lush-life-a-fairy-tale-retreat-in-wales/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0
http://www.kb-2.co.uk/KB2_Allt-y-Bella_Conservation_CS.pdf
http://www.bbc.co.uk/legacies/heritage/wales/w_se/article_1.shtml

 

[Zebra]

Spend 3 quiet minutes in a comfy chair with coffee,

I'm shocked Paul, at such behaviour. Get back to removing your cement render immediately.

 

[paulb33]

I'm shocked Paul, at such behaviour. Get back to removing your cement render immediately.

http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/forum

aka

http://www.awaytoavoiddoingsomething.co.ns/tructive

 

[Zebra]

No, I protest. I know I'm supposed to be outside cleaning up the last lot of floorboards, and OK, this is more interesting, and OK, I know I should get out there but...... no, this is definately not work avoidance. No, definately not.....

 

[paulb33]

No, I protest. I know I'm supposed to be outside cleaning up the last lot of floorboards, and OK, this is more interesting, and OK, I know I should get out there but...... no, this is definately not work avoidance. No, definately not.....

We can make this run and run..... 8)

 

[Gareth Hughes]

I'm amazed by how quickly the garden has matured. This was it only about 5 years ago

and now

 

[paulb33]

I'm amazed by how quickly the garden has matured. This was it only about 5 years ago

Wow. Clearly a perk to being the UK's top garden designer?

 

[Penners]

Spend 3 quiet minutes in a comfy chair with coffee,

I'm shocked Paul, at such behaviour. Get back to removing your cement render immediately.

Excuse me, Zebra, but what have I told you repeatedly about Kit-Kat planning breaks? They are an essential part of the creative process, honing the ideas of inspired minds and tending to the toned bodies of skilled artisans.

I like them, too.

I absolutely love that rambling, characterful, quirky old building. Did you notice the tiny window in the triple-diamond chimney stack? :shock:

The maker of that little video should get a mention, too. What fabulous photography!

 

[paulb33]

I absolutely love that rambling, characterful, quirky old building. Did you notice the tiny window in the triple-diamond chimney stack? :shock:

Amazing little window, isn't it? Love the way such an imposing building manages to snuggle down into the valley. Magical.

Its run as a B&B. Hope to treat Mrs B33 to a night away....in the unlikely event we have any money left after our restoration.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

Here it is about 1980

and in 1986, even SAVE Britain's Heritage counted it among the Lost Houses of Wales, in Thomas Lloyd's book of that title, noting that threats of action had resulted in nothing "until this year, when, realistically, too late".
Just in case anyone is battling with a slightly leaky chimeny, or a cracked floor tile, or any other such major problem... :wink:

 

[malcolm]

It's a pity the internet wasn't going so much at the time - it would have been interesting to read a blog about the restoration. Looks like it was restored by the Spitalfields Trust. Must have been a tricky job. There is a 3 page article on http://www.bbc.co.uk/legacies/heritage/wales/w_se/article_1.shtml (also linked in the first post I notice )

 

[jocelyn plummer]

What a truly beautiful haven of tranquillity--love it!

 

[vicky whitworth]

I've been trying to find out some more about B&B at Allt y bella but there's nothing on their website and Alistair Sawday doesn't give much away. Has anyone else found something that I'm missing? I like close-ups of bedrooms and bathrooms, that sort of thing. Thanks, Vicky

 

[Gareth Hughes]

It seems you have to take a deep breath and contact them. Though there are two photos of bedrooms which, when clicked on, come up with a couple more views including bathroom ones, if that's where you intend to spend most of your holiday...
The Sawday page has some bedroom and bathroom pics too.

 

[Penners]

Presumably the deep breath relates to the price?

 

[Wren]

There are garden courses held there. Already sold out for this year except for a few places left on the course called "The Historical Garden Details" for £220 including lunch, which is surely right up PPUKers street? (and they tend to change the courses every year so I wouldn't rely on this course being run again). If you are just mad keen on gardens and/or have a big project (and hopefully a big budget to go with it) that this might help with, then you should go. I think the B&B is shut while the courses are running in which case the Bell at Skenfrith is very nice.
Allt-y-bella is absolutely stunning inside and out.