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A medieval house in the Black Mountains has been saved from complete collapse thanks to generous donations.

The house named Llwyn Celyn, which means Hollybush in English, is being restored by The Landmark Trust charity and featured on the Channel 4 show Restoring Britain’s Landmarks.

The Grade I listed house in the Brecon Beacons, near Abergavenny needed £4.2 million for its restoration but the trust appealed for the remaining £47,000 in November .

Now they have secured the vital funds needed for the project and work is set to begin in April.

Llwyn Celyn was acquired with joint grants from Cadw and the National Heritage Memorial Fund further pledges of support included a grant of £100,000 from Country Houses Foundation and an anonymous Guardian of Llwyn Celyn pledged £187k. The remaining funding came from the Pilgrim Trust, CHK Charities, and generous individuals.

Conservationists say Llwyn Celyn is one of the most remarkable surviving medieval houses in Britain.

It was one of the longest continuously occupied homes in Britain after being lived in since 1480. The last occupants moved out in early 2014.

It had become so run down that it was being held up by scaffolding.

Among the outbuildings the trust has identified a rare surviving cider house, a grain drying kiln and a little malt kiln, used for roasting barley to make malt for beer making. They say “it seems clear there will be more discoveries to come.”

(Image: © Tim Mossford)

Restoring Britain’s Landmarks goes behind the scenes at remarkable restoration projects and discovers the history behind them and Llwyn Celyn is featured in episode two.

The show is presented by experts from The Landmark Trust – Director Dr Anna Keay, Conservation Manager Alastair Dick-Cleland and Furnishings Manager John Evetts.

How the house will be used

The Landmark Trust purchase and update historic buildings to rent out as holiday lets, so people can “holiday in history”.

When it is completed the house will sleep eight in the main house, so that people can experience Llwyn Celyn for holidays and short breaks. The surrounding historic barns will be adapted for use by the local community, including an information room.

Extensive repairs and sensitive alterations will be carried out by expert craftsmen and the entire project will provide training for apprentices and others in traditional building skills.

Visit landmarktrust.org.uk to get involved in the Llwyn Celyn Community Project.