Upper Red House had been condemned as unfit for human habitation
after being derelict for 30 years. When we arrived we stood in the
cellar and could see the sky through the falling down roof. In a fit of
madness, we decided to save it (with a 40% grant from CADW, the
Welsh historic buildings council).
When we bought the house in 1995 it was listed Grade II and little
altered since it was built in the 17th century, apparently on the site
of a yet older building. It is said to be the second oldest brick house in Monmouthshire and is now lime-washed in its original colour. Since we restored the house it has been upgraded to a Grade II* listed building.
Little is known about the origins of the house, but it was built at a time when small scale farming was much more prosperous, explaining the grand appearance. A cider house (now our kitchen) was built on the back of the house a little later. Like most local farms the house was once surrounded by orchards for making cider and perry, which was then used to pay the farm labourers. Vaulted cellars under the house were used to store the barrels of cider.
Restoration is still underway, and
no-one could accuse us of
immaculate decor; it was described
by the S4C TV program ‘04WAL.’
as ‘shabby-chic’. We are still
finding out more about the history
of the house, so please get in touch
if you have any questions (or
information).
