'I grew up here as a child... I'm sad it's on my watch that we've had to take this decision'

Wales Online

03-05-2025

As a youngster, Richard Davies-Cooke would no doubt have run around the maze of corridors that make up historic, grade II listed Gwysaney Hall with typical childhood abandon.
And he would have been far from the first child in his family to do so, since it's been in his family continuously for more than 450 years. But he's probably going to have been one of the last, of his family at least, to do so, because it's now been listed for sale.
The Hall near Mold in Flintshire is one of Wales' most significant houses, awarded a Grade II* listing by Cadw in 1952, updated in 2002, for being 'a substantial and well-preserved Jacobean house with important C19 and early C20 additions'.
How many properties in Wales can boast connections to Rhodri Mawr, the 9th Century King of all Wales, feature in the Doomsday Book, and have played a direct role in the English Civil War? The existing building on the site is believed to date back to 1603, constructed by Robert Davies, and has remained in the Davies-Cooke family ever since. It has never changed hands, until, potentially, now.
It's easy to understand why the property has stayed within the current owner's family for over 450 years, with their ownership of the site tracing back to 1550 and also why current owner, Richard Davies-Cooke, is very sad to be selling. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here
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Richard said: "I grew up here as a child so I've known the house for a very long time and it's been in the family since the day it was built. I feel very privileged to have inherited Gwysaney from my father, it's a really lovely house, it's very friendly, and every generation has done their bit to try and keep on top of things during the years.
"I feel very honoured and privileged to be here, and sad at the same time that it's on my watch that we've had to take this decision, but we need to be sensible and look at the longer term future for my son and grandson."
At the heart of the 14-bedroom, five-storey house is its 1603 Jacobean era, with additional wings, extensions and modifications added over the subsequent centuries. With so much history embedded in the house, it's challenging to pinpoint just a few key highlights but Richard can share captivating tales that vividly depict the property's history, as chronicled by his family over the centuries.
He plans to remain on the estate by relocating to a farm, but the main house, two charming three-bedroom cottages, various outbuildings, and the 26 acres of land that include formal gardens, and the award-winning Pinetum, equestrian facilities and four paddocks will be included in the sale to the new owner.
The house and its outbuildings can be customised to suit the new owner's lifestyle and needs which includes a suggestion by Richard that the property is ideal for multi-generational living, as it has been since its construction.
He adds: "The new owners are inheriting a legacy that has been ongoing for a considerable period, but I hope they feel this is their home and that they are part of a larger entity within the estate." Richard also believes the new owner will immediately connect with such a magnificent building, adding, emotionally, "it's peaceful, it's welcoming, and it's happy".
Perhaps there are still yet many more children set to run around the corridors of this amazing home with the same joy that Richard once experienced.
Gwysaney Hall, along with its cottages and 26 acres of grounds, is on the market for £2.5m with estate agents Strutt and Parker and Savills, call 01244 354880 or 01244 323232 to find out more.
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