For those who might think the Royal Family is not conscious of spending, here is the relatively modest retreat in Wales of Prince Charles and Camilla, Llwynywermod. It is the first royal home in Wales since the English Civil War.
 |
| Rendering by Craig Hamilton Architects. |
Owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, the 192 acre estate near the village of Myddfai, Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, was bought in 2006-2007. The residence was once the coach house of the larger manor house now in ruins. It was the home of the Griffies-Williams family.
 |
| Photo by Paul Highnam, Craig Hamilton Architects. |
Renovation was completed in 2008 using traditonal building methods by
John Weaver Construction to plans by
Craig Hamilton Architects.
 |
| Photo by Paul Highnam, Craig Hamilton Architects. |
With the exception of the Hall pictured above, the interior photos associated with the property seem to be the two bedroom apartment in the attached wing that can be rented when Charles and Camilla are not in residence. (The Prince's exclusion of a television was relaxed for the rental quarters which has all the conveniences including a dishwasher, clothes washer/dryer, and high-speed internet service. Guests are given a complimentary basket of Duchy of Cornwall products such as organic preserves, marmalades, and biscuits [cookies]).
 |
| Photo by Paul Highnam, Craig Hamilton Architects. |
In keeping with Prince Charles' ideals, no pesticides or artificial fertilizers are used. Cleaning products are environmentally friendly. And sewage is treated through a reed-bed system for filtering before released into the ground. Insulation is achieved through corn cob filling and sheeps wool; the sheep also control the meadows while depositing natural fertilizer to promote the growth of wildflowers and orchids. Natural paint was used on hemp plaster walls. A wood chip boiler (using scrap wood from a nearby site) supplies hot water and heat; the electricity is 100% from renewable sources.
 |
| Photo by Paul Highnam, Craig Hamilton Architects. |
The furnishings are a mixture of Welsh furnishings, old and new, using local fabrics with quilts and rugs from local sources as well. The Welsh dresser in the Hall was given to The Queen on Her Majesty's wedding day by the people of Meirionnydd according to the official website of The Prince of Wales,
www.princeofwales.gov.uk. The house is also used for functions by various charities.
More about the once grand estate and the changing fortunes of the Griffies-Williams family can be found in the book written by Welsh architecture expert Mark Baker,
A ROYAL HOME IN WALES: LLWYNYWERMOD. The first photo in this essay showing Charles and Camilla at Llwynywermod is from
www.photobucket.com.
