Welsh castle to restore

Seventeenth century Ruperra Castle is officially recorded as an ancient monument. It is now in need of total restoration.

Set in grounds of about 30 acres and offering splendid panoramic views, the castle is believed to have been built as as status symbol by Sir Thomas Morgan, one of the most influential men in Wales at the time.

King James I stayed in the castle in 1645 raising support after the battle of Naseby. It's a typical Jacobean courtier's house and was destroyed by fire in 1785 after which it was rebuilt in its current Gothic style. During its Victorian heyday, the eldest son of the Tredegar family lived at Ruperra when it functioned as a large country estate with historic gardens and parkland.

The family fortunes began to decline however in the 1920s and in 1941, when troops were billeted at the castle, it was again destroyed by fire.

The castle has now stood as a ruin for over 50 years.

For sale through Savills (02920 368930) with a guide price of £1.5 million