Caerwent £1,950,000

An idyllic five-bedroom detached country home, with superb business opportunity and enjoying a southerly aspect with formal gardens and paddocks extending to approximately 8.5 acres (STMS). In addition to the main house there is a one-bedroom annexe, a heated swimming pool, stables and a double garage.
The Story
Walking out from his house towards the magnificent gardens he and his family helped resurrect, the owner of Dewstow House still marvels at the magical discovery.
He bought the property, which is now next to Dewstow Golf Course, some 10 years ago, with little more than an inkling of what lay beneath his grounds.
The gardens were commissioned in the 1890s by Henry Oakley and created by the well-known firm of James Pulham and Son, who worked on the gardens at Buckingham Palace and Sandringham, he explained.
But after the Second World War they were buried and the land was returned to agricultural use. When we moved in we knew there was something underneath but we had no idea just how extensive it was.
We started to uncover it all – and discovered these unique subterranean grottoes and gardens.
UNDERGROUND WORLD
The grounds at Dewstow House, which also enjoys views of the Severn River estuary and has an indoor swimming pool, are approximately eight and a half acres (STMS). The underground world beneath the lawns has seen massive renovation works over the past few years.
It was a huge project, he said. It involved a lot of digging and drainage but it was very exciting.
The current owners now open the gardens to the public for a small charge but new owners would be able to decide whether or not they wanted to do this. Visitors to the property are able to enjoy features such as the caverns and passages, waterfalls, pools, stalactites and boulders, all eerily lit by concealed shafts of light coming through grills from the lawn above.
PERIOD HOME
The current owner’s family own much of the surrounding area, which in years gone by they have farmed. Some 22 years ago, however, they began to diversify, opening golf courses, which are today close to the house.
Then more by accident than design, the discovery of the gardens happened, he explained.
Since then, as well as working on the garden, he also decided to renovate the house, which is believed to date back to before 1837.
There are a lot of period features here – fireplaces, high ceilings, banisters – and we did decide to redecorate in-keeping with the age of the house. We have, however, also modernised the house and put in a new kitchen, he added.
GLORIOUS VIEWS
Today a favourite space is the beautiful drawing room, with its double doors on to the gardens and views down towards the Severn Estuary.
Because the house is raised up, there are lovely views, he explained. Elsewhere in the house there are outlooks across the golf course and paddocks.
He went on: The kitchen is also nice. We spend a lot of time in there. Although we have a dining room at the front of the house that is where the pool table is at the moment, and so we tend to eat at the dining area in the kitchen.
GARDEN DREAM
The owner’s three children were all brought up at Dewstow House, where the space was ideal. It has also been a great house for entertaining, he said. We have had some good parties here, especially at Halloween.
He went on: For outdoor parties there is a nice flat area that could once have been a tennis court but could also be a croquet lawn.
He said he will miss everything about his home, from its fabulous location to its incredible setting.
I love the layout of the house and the scale of the rooms, he said. But more than anything I will miss the gardens.
Accommodation
Set in picturesque Monmouthshire countryside with views of the sea is this impressive country home with its pillared entrance and sweeping drive. The magnificent fa?ade sets the scene for this imposing period house of local importance with a wealth of character features to be found inside. The reception hall has a wonderful mosaic tiled floor and ornate coving with a beautiful decorative turned stairway leading to the first floor. The hall is flanked by two reception rooms, the first to the right being the charming drawing room with its impressive view to the front, open fire and decorative mouldings to the ceiling and coving. The sitting room to the left of the hall is a mirror image with open fire, French doors to the front and wood panelling to the walls. A spacious family room with log-burning stove provides access to the hand painted kitchen/breakfast room with its view out across the neighbouring golf course. The kitchen enjoys integrated appliances, a tiled floor and has the original bell system for the house. A light and airy sun room overlooks the rear walled garden and provides access to the enclosed swimming pool. Additionally, there is a snug, office, shower room/wc, walk-in pantry and utility room to the remainder of the ground floor, together with a staircase that leads down to the cellar and a second ‘house keepers’ stairway that ascends to the first floor.
First Floor Accommodation
The turned staircase rises to the grand landing with a leaded picture window and stairway leading to the attic room. The master suite enjoys views over the neighbouring golf course and the Severn Bridge in the distance and benefits from a well appointed en-suite with a separate wc. There are four further bedrooms all of good size and enjoying far-reaching views, with the front three bedrooms having access to the front balcony. A well appointed family bathroom with roll top bath and twin sinks completes the accommodation on the first floor.
Setting the Scene
The incredible grounds at Dewstow House include so much more than the spellbinding Grade I Listed gardens.
There are also lawned areas, glass houses, stables and paddocks, making it suitable for anyone keen to keep horses or ponies.
At the back of the house, enclosed within a walled garden area, is the indoor swimming pool, he said. This has been greatly enjoyed by the family over the years.
He added: These gardens are so beautiful that people have often come here to have their wedding photographs taken.
Within Easy Reach
Dewstow House is located on the edge of the village of Dewstow with Caldicot being only 2 miles away, providing an array of shops and supermarkets. Only a few miles away is the Celtic Manor Hotel and Golf Club which held the 2010 Ryder Cup and next door is Dewstow Golf Club. Within the area there are also lots of places to walk, cycle and enjoy the sights. These include the Wye Valley and Caldicot Castle.
Dewstow enjoys good transport links with a train station only a few miles away
providing access to Cardiff, Bristol and London, together with the M4 and M5 motorways. Close by is the attractive market town of Chepstow with its range of shops, supermarkets and leisure facilities.
We are about a mile from the station. From here we can catch trains into either Cardiff or Bristol, said the owner.
This is a nice, peaceful spot, yet it is easy to get to major places. It also only takes about two hours to get to London on the train.
DIRECTIONS:
Turn off the M4 at Junction 23a sign posted Magor. From Magor follow the B4245 through Undy and Rogiet. On entering Caldicot take your first left signposted Dewstow. Continue along this road and Dewstow House will be found on your right.
For those with satellite navigation the post code for the property is NP26 5AH.
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