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Our Journey

Renovating a crumbling castle isn't a straight line - it's a winding path of collapsed ceilings, hidden wood rot, hidden wells, and the odd surprise colony of bats. I'd prefer to call this a resurrection, than a renovation. We’ve carefully chosen ten key chapters of the journey so far — from the moment we first opened the doors, to uncovering centuries-old secrets buried under floorboards and ivy. Each one holds a piece of the castle’s story.

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The resurrection

Roof & Parapets: Racing the Bats

The roof was one of the first and biggest challenges—especially with one of South Wales’ largest maternal bat colonies in residence. Permissions were limited to a tight 6-week window between bat seasons. In that time, the entire roof had to be stripped, repaired, felted, and battened. The parapets followed—after one of the wettest winters on record revealed they were leaking just as badly as the roof. Each section had to be carefully dismantled and rebuilt, preserving the silhouette of the castle against the sky.

Windows & Stonework: Every Piece Counts

No two windows in the castle are the same—different ages, styles, and states of disrepair. Many were beyond fragile. Restoration meant keeping as much of the original glass and stone as possible. In some cases, stonemasons repurposed old pieces to rebuild missing parts by hand, carving and shaping on site. The curved windows were particularly tricky, requiring delicate work to reshape the stonework. Every window tells a story.

Fireplaces, Bells & Hidden Features

As rooms were stripped back, secrets began to emerge—fireplaces hidden behind walls, bricked-up ovens, and even the original bell system. One fireplace dates to the 1500s, hinting at a much older structure beneath the current one. The servant’s kitchen held a clay oven, a hidden flue, and even a smoking cupboard. And deep in the floors, the hand of the original clock tower was discovered, perfectly preserved.

Walled Gardens: Unearthing the Lost Estate

Originally overgrown and forgotten, the gardens slowly revealed themselves—one wheelbarrow at a time. We uncovered not one, but two walled gardens, a dipping pond, and pathways that only became visible during a heatwave. The scale is extraordinary. Rebuilding walls, clearing brambles, and restoring the structure has been like piecing together a living puzzle from the past.

Servants’ Spaces & Cottage Revival

Behind the grandeur, the servants’ quarters were full of character—and secrets. From an old butchery and dairy room to a fire pit-turned-kitchen, every space had its role. The servants' cottage, once a shell, now has a renewed sense of life. A new staircase replaced the ladder that had been used for years, and each floor now blends function and comfort while keeping its historic charm intact.

Interiors & Intricate Details

The castle’s beauty lies in the details. We restored chandeliers from the 1800s, hand-painted wallpaper in the drawing room, gold-framed mirrors, and even 150-year-old curtain rails. Many items—like the grand piano, original lights, and bell boxes—were gently taken down, cleaned or rebuilt, and returned to their rightful place. Every piece adds another layer to the castle’s story.

Mysteries & Discoveries

Not everything came with an explanation. A well that turned out to be a rainwater tank. Another mystery structure, possibly an ice house from 1790. Ancient gates were found buried in brambles, alongside beech trees older than the main drive. Each new find led to more questions—and a deeper appreciation for the hidden history in every wall and path.

The Grand Rooms: Restoring Elegance

The drawing room and dining room—once grand, then derelict—are now beginning to shine again. Hand-painted wallpaper, intricate plaster ceilings, mirrored fireplaces, and chandeliers all form the heart of the castle’s character. Even the original kitchen has been lovingly restored, complete with the old prep table used by generations before.

Ruins, Roofs & New Life

Some parts of the castle had long since crumbled—but new designs brought them back into use. A glass roof now covers part of the original ruins, blending modern design with historic stone. The orchid courtyard was also roofed for the first time in history, adding warmth and utility to a previously exposed space. These new additions were created with care to complement, not compete with, the centuries of architecture surrounding them.

Roof & Parapets: Racing the Bats

The roof was one of the first and biggest challenges—especially with one of South Wales’ largest maternal bat colonies in residence. Permissions were limited to a tight 6-week window between bat seasons. In that time, the entire roof had to be stripped, repaired, felted, and battened. The parapets followed—after one of the wettest winters on record revealed they were leaking just as badly as the roof. Each section had to be carefully dismantled and rebuilt, preserving the silhouette of the castle against the sky.

Windows & Stonework: Every Piece Counts

No two windows in the castle are the same—different ages, styles, and states of disrepair. Many were beyond fragile. Restoration meant keeping as much of the original glass and stone as possible. In some cases, stonemasons repurposed old pieces to rebuild missing parts by hand, carving and shaping on site. The curved windows were particularly tricky, requiring delicate work to reshape the stonework. Every window tells a story.

Fireplaces, Bells & Hidden Features

As rooms were stripped back, secrets began to emerge—fireplaces hidden behind walls, bricked-up ovens, and even the original bell system. One fireplace dates to the 1500s, hinting at a much older structure beneath the current one. The servant’s kitchen held a clay oven, a hidden flue, and even a smoking cupboard. And deep in the floors, the hand of the original clock tower was discovered, perfectly preserved.

Walled Gardens: Unearthing the Lost Estate

Originally overgrown and forgotten, the gardens slowly revealed themselves—one wheelbarrow at a time. We uncovered not one, but two walled gardens, a dipping pond, and pathways that only became visible during a heatwave. The scale is extraordinary. Rebuilding walls, clearing brambles, and restoring the structure has been like piecing together a living puzzle from the past.

Servants’ Spaces & Cottage Revival

Behind the grandeur, the servants’ quarters were full of character—and secrets. From an old butchery and dairy room to a fire pit-turned-kitchen, every space had its role. The servants' cottage, once a shell, now has a renewed sense of life. A new staircase replaced the ladder that had been used for years, and each floor now blends function and comfort while keeping its historic charm intact.

Interiors & Intricate Details

The castle’s beauty lies in the details. We restored chandeliers from the 1800s, hand-painted wallpaper in the drawing room, gold-framed mirrors, and even 150-year-old curtain rails. Many items—like the grand piano, original lights, and bell boxes—were gently taken down, cleaned or rebuilt, and returned to their rightful place. Every piece adds another layer to the castle’s story.

Mysteries & Discoveries

Not everything came with an explanation. A well that turned out to be a rainwater tank. Another mystery structure, possibly an ice house from 1790. Ancient gates were found buried in brambles, alongside beech trees older than the main drive. Each new find led to more questions—and a deeper appreciation for the hidden history in every wall and path.

The Grand Rooms: Restoring Elegance

The drawing room and dining room—once grand, then derelict—are now beginning to shine again. Hand-painted wallpaper, intricate plaster ceilings, mirrored fireplaces, and chandeliers all form the heart of the castle’s character. Even the original kitchen has been lovingly restored, complete with the old prep table used by generations before.

Ruins, Roofs & New Life

Some parts of the castle had long since crumbled—but new designs brought them back into use. A glass roof now covers part of the original ruins, blending modern design with historic stone. The orchid courtyard was also roofed for the first time in history, adding warmth and utility to a previously exposed space. These new additions were created with care to complement, not compete with, the centuries of architecture surrounding them.

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Renovation areas in action

The Walled Garden

The Orangery

Penllyn Castle, located in Cowbridge, South Wales, has a history steeped in the rich legends and stories of the Welsh countryside.

View Castle History
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