Llanasa, Holywell, Flintshire, CH8

An impressive castellated country house Listed Grade II, occupying a spectacular rural setting with commanding views towards the Dee Estuary.

Introductory Note

The Gyrn Castle Estate occupies a prominent yet private position in a particularly attractive part of North Wales. It stands on elevated ground above the coast on the edge of the picturesque village of Llanasa which is a designated Conservation Area and from the castle there are views to the Dee Estuary, Wirral Peninsula and Liverpool skyline. The sale of Gyrn Castle which is steeped in history, not least of all because of its connection with the Cunard Shipping Line, will appeal to a wide audience of potential buyers as it lends itself to a variety of uses subject to the availability of planning permission. Originally built as a private house, which it continues to be, the castle has most recently been used to host corporate events and as a wedding venue. However, there is also the potential to operate a boutique hotel with restaurant, an office headquarters or conference centre whilst the traditional courtyard range offers scope to create additional cottages and accommodation to complement a commercial venture. Aside from the principal residence there are the lakes and woodland which are set below the castle. Historically the lakes have operated as a commercial fishery but in conjunction with the surrounding woodland they would provide a spectacular setting for a leisure operator seeking to create an exclusive holiday destination with log cabins overlooking the water. The woodland is an ideal venue for clay pigeon shooting and in conjunction with the wider estate, a traditional driven pheasant shoot, which is how it currently operates with the adjoining Mostyn Estate. Likewise, the modern farm buildings would readily adapt into an indoor riding school for those wishing to operate an equestrian centre.

Features

Ground Floor

- Reception Hall
- Dining Room
- Drawing Room
- Library
- Great Hall
- Cloakroom/WC
- Small Dining Room
- Study
- Kitchen with Breakfast Area
- Pantry
- Utility Room
- Laundry Room
- Estate Office
- Domestic Quarters & Stores
- Extensive Cellars & Basement Rooms

First & Second Floors

- Sitting Room
- Master & Guest Bedroom Suites
- 10 further Bedrooms
- 4 further Bathrooms

Additional Accommodation

- Self-contained Flat - Cottage & Gatehouse Lodge

Outside

- Traditional Courtyard Range & Modern Farm Buildings
- Lakes
- Parkland
- Woodland & Farmland
- Sporting Rights

In all about 67 acres

An additional 297.80 acres & 2 Gatehouse Lodges by separate negotiation

Historical Note

It is held that there was a house at Gyrn by the late 17th century and that at one time it was part of the Mostyn Estate. It subsequently changed hands, first to Thomas Hughes of Halkyn in 1750 and then to John Douglas who was a Holywell cotton manufacturer. Douglas transformed the house into a castellated mansion in the early 1800’s by adding a third storey and picture gallery as well as the attached tower at the south end of the building. In 1857 a Liverpool merchant and ship owner, Sir Edward Bates, acquired the property and it subsequently passed to his son Sir Percy Bates who was to be chairman of the celebrated Cunard Shipping Line that was responsible for building the two great transatlantic liners, The Queen Mary & Queen Elizabeth. Gyrn Castle remained in the ownership of the descendants of Sir Edward Bates until 2008 when it was purchased by the Howard family who were related by marriage.

Location & Communications

The village of Llanasa is situated about 5 miles from the A55 Expressway which provides good road links along the coast into North Wales and to Chester. The area is very accessible for the Chester Business Park, Wrexham Industrial Estate and Deeside Industrial Park. Beyond Chester the A55 connects to the M53 & M56 motorways serving Liverpool & Manchester which are both within daily commuting distance. For travel to London there is a regular train from Prestatyn to Chester and from which there is a 2 hour service to Euston. For international travel Liverpool & Manchester airports are 46 and 53 miles respectively.

Distances

A55 Expressway 5 miles • Mold 16 miles • Denbigh 17 miles • Chester 27 miles • Liverpool 35 miles •
Holyhead 55 miles • Manchester 60 miles
(Distances Approximate)

The Gardens & Grounds

Gyrn Castle stands centrally within a parkland setting and is accessed via twin entrance drives. The principal approach is via the north drive with guardian gatehouse lodge flanked by a castellated stone arch with tower. The tree lined drive leads to a wide gravelled parking and turning area against the east front. The immediate grounds are to the front of the castle being laid to lawn interspersed with rose beds and flanked by borders, shrubs and specimen trees. There is also a disused tennis court suitable for additional parking or as a location for a marquee. The tree lined rear drive is accessed from the village passing through parkland. It divides below the castle, branching off to the rear courtyard and farm buildings whilst the main section extends around the castle connecting to the gravelled for forecourt against the east front.

The Courtyard & Farm Buildings

To the rear of the castle and approached via stone archways is a collection of traditional and more modern farm buildings. The traditional stone range are Grade II Listed forming an attractive courtyard flanked by lawns and enclosed by castellated stone walls. They include the former coach house with a large three car garage, stabling and storage. Within this range is Dovecote Cottage which is a fine detached Grade II Listed gatehouse lodge with accommodation on two floors including two reception rooms, kitchen and bathroom on the ground floor. At first floor level there are two inter-connecting bedrooms. Adjacent to the principal range is a further collection of traditional stone outbuildings including a former cart shed, stores and stabling. Beyond the courtyard are a collection of more modern farm buildings including a 3 bay steel portal farmed shed suitable for housing machinery and produce, together with an 8 bay steel portal framed livestock shed and 6 bay steel portal framed implement shed. Adjacent to these sheds is the outbuilding housing the Biomass boiler.

General Remarks & Stipulations

Address: Gyrn Castle, Llanasa, Nr. Holywell, Flintshire, North Wales, CH8 9BG.

Tenure: The Gyrn Castle Estate is freehold with vacant possession, save for North Lodge, Dovecote and Gyrn Castle Flat, which are all let. The adjoining parkland is also let on a seasonal basis. Further details available on request from the Agents.

Services:
Gyrn Castle: Mains water, electricity and drainage. Biomass and oil central heating.
Gyrn Castle Flat: Mains water, electricity and drainage. Night storage heaters.
Dovecote: Mains water, electricity and drainage. Oil central heating.
North Lodge: Mains water, electricity. Private drainage. Liquid propane gas heating.

Wayleaves, Easements & Rights Of Way: The property is sold subject to all existing wayleaves, easements, rights of way, public or private whether specifically mentioned or not and in this regard it should be noted that a gas main crosses the parkland behind the castle.

Local Authority: Flintshire County Council.

Council Tax:

Gyrn Castle - Tax Band I
Gyrn Castle Flat - Tax Band D
Dovecote - Tax Band C
North Lodge - Tax Band C

Town & Country Planning: Gyrn Castle and all the associated properties are Listed Grade II. The property is within the village conservation area with tree preservation orders attaching to several trees in the grounds.

Sporting & Mineral Rights: The sporting rights are in hand, and the minerals are excluded.

Subsidies & Quotas: The land is registered with rural payments Wales and eligible for subsidies and quoters under the basic payments scheme. These are excluded from the sale but available by separate negotiation.

Fixtures: Unless specifically mentioned in these particulars all contents, fixtures and fittings, garden ornaments, statues, carpets and curtains are specifically excluded from the sale. Certain items may be available by separate negotiation.

Viewing: Strictly by appointment with the Chester office of Jackson-Stops