0:00:00 > 0:00:00- 888
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- 888
0:00:05 > 0:00:07- 888
0:00:10 > 0:00:12- 888
0:00:15 > 0:00:17- 888
0:00:20 > 0:00:25- Tonight, a 16th century home - in the suburbs of Cardiff.
0:00:26 > 0:00:32- We visit Sker House, one of Wales's - most important historical building.
0:00:32 > 0:00:38- First, a traditional terraced house - which is blue, from top to bottom.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47- An interesting mixture of people - live in Tal-y-bont.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49- It's a close-knit community.
0:00:49 > 0:00:55- We looked at the community, at the - school and at the local amenities...
0:00:56 > 0:00:59- ..before we even started - the house-hunting process.
0:01:00 > 0:01:01- We couldn't find a house.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07- Buying a terraced house - in Tal-y-bont was a compromise...
0:01:07 > 0:01:09- ..but Catrin Davies - and Alun Elidyr...
0:01:09 > 0:01:13- ..have created a home for themselves - and their daughter, Elan.
0:01:13 > 0:01:18- The house was nothing like what we - wanted it to be, when we bought it.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21- That's why we gutted it!
0:01:22 > 0:01:26- Three months later, I stood - on this very spot and looked up...
0:01:26 > 0:01:29- ..to see we had no floors - and no ceilings.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32- I could see right up to the roof!
0:01:33 > 0:01:36- We read - every interior design magazine.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41- We knew what we wanted by the time - we talked to an architect.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46- The house has turned out - more or less as we'd imagined it.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50- There's a lot of blue in this house.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52- A heck of a lot of blue!
0:01:52 > 0:01:53- A heck of a lot of blue!- - LAUGHTER
0:01:54 > 0:01:56- Is blue your favourite colour?
0:01:58 > 0:02:00- I like blue and so does Alun.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07- Where there is colour in this house, - it's blue.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11- We knew we could live with it - and we could accessorise it.
0:02:13 > 0:02:14- With blue accessories!
0:02:15 > 0:02:16- Yes.
0:02:16 > 0:02:22- Alun always tells people the carpet - on the stairs was meant to be red.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34- We wanted to have modern things - in this house.
0:02:34 > 0:02:40- We found it difficult to find those - items in the Aberystwyth area.
0:02:41 > 0:02:47- We flicked through magazines and - saw pictures of fantastic items...
0:02:47 > 0:02:50- ..but they don't tell you - where you can find them.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56- We bought almost everything - relatively locally.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59- This is a very contemporary space.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02- How did it look - when you bought the house?
0:03:02 > 0:03:04- It was nothing like this!
0:03:04 > 0:03:07- There was a wall, - where we're standing now.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10- There was a heater - on the other side.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14- There was a door over here and - a door at the foot of the stairs.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19- The spindles had been blocked off - with plasterboard.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23- There was fake tongue and groove - on the plasterboard.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27- All we've really done - is take this house back to basics.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31- You even had to re-lay - the floorboards.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35- Yes. Brian, the builder, - advised us to do this.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37- This is a long, narrow house.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42- If you lay the floorboards in - the same direction as the house...
0:03:42 > 0:03:47- ..you'll end up with something - that looks like a cricket pitch!
0:03:47 > 0:03:49- It makes it feel narrower.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54- The builder laid the floorboards - across the room.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56- If this room were empty...
0:03:56 > 0:04:00- ..you'd see that the floorboards - make the room seem wider.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07- The blue theme continues upstairs.
0:04:07 > 0:04:12- There was once a window there - but it's now a wall of glass bricks.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16- There's another wall of glass bricks - over here.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18- The bathroom is behind this wall.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20- This is a clever trick.
0:04:20 > 0:04:26- Put all your laundry equipment in - a cupboard, inches from the bedroom.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28- This is the new bedroom.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32- This was originally - a single-storey extension...
0:04:32 > 0:04:34- ..to accommodate the kitchen.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38- They decided to add this room, - on top of the flat roof.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41- This is Catrin and Alun's bedroom.
0:04:41 > 0:04:46- There's a high ceiling here - and the room is flooded with light.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48- There's a balcony out here.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51- You can stand here - and look at your estate.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56- I see the wildebeest - are around today.
0:04:58 > 0:05:03- The angle of the morning sun meant - we couldn't have a square room...
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- ..because we'd block out - our neighbours' light.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- We have an angular wall - in our bedroom...
0:05:11 > 0:05:13- ..and it created a unique room.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23- This is the bathroom.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26- The back of the house - is an extension...
0:05:26 > 0:05:31- ..so we had to have an - internal room, which had no windows.
0:05:31 > 0:05:36- We decided to use these glass bricks - to let in some daylight.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42- It's amazing how much sunlight - comes in here, from the other room.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47- We thought long and hard about it...
0:05:47 > 0:05:50- ..and we decided to have blue tiles!
0:05:50 > 0:05:52- What a shock!
0:05:52 > 0:05:54- I'm quite proud of these tiles.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- These mosaic tiles come in sheets.
0:05:57 > 0:06:02- We bought a sheet of dark blue tiles - and a sheet of light blue tiles...
0:06:02 > 0:06:05- ..and we removed - some of the main tiles...
0:06:06 > 0:06:09- ..to create a pattern - which isn't too symmetrical.
0:06:10 > 0:06:11- You're clever!
0:06:11 > 0:06:12- You're clever!- - Yes - occasionally!
0:06:13 > 0:06:15- You plumped for a blue loo seat.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17- It matches everything else!
0:06:18 > 0:06:21- Blue and water go together, - don't they?
0:06:39 > 0:06:43- We leave that oasis of pink and - find ourselves feeling blue again.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48- This carpet was meant to be red - but it turned out to be blue.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53- The first of the two rooms - on this floor is a study.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56- There are lots of books in here.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59- It's a lovely room - and it's really light.
0:07:02 > 0:07:07- That's front-facing and you get the - afternoon sun through that window.
0:07:07 > 0:07:12- The other window is south-facing, - so you get the morning sun.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- There's a touch of the Mata Hari - about this!
0:07:16 > 0:07:19- It's almost - like stepping into a boudoir.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26- We're kitchen people.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- We enjoy hanging out in here.
0:07:28 > 0:07:33- Someone calls around to the house - and you can see them from here.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37- They come in - and we sit around and talk.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40- Everything flows through the house.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45- Moving here involved so much more - than moving in to the house.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48- This is a pleasant village - in which to live...
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- ..and we've become - part of a wonderful community.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57- There's more to living here - than the house.
0:08:09 > 0:08:14- Sker House was established by - Neath monks in the 12th century...
0:08:14 > 0:08:18- ..but it was transformed - into a Tudor house in 1539.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21- Sker House has been empty - since the 1970s.
0:08:21 > 0:08:27- It was in a state of disrepair when - conservation bodies took it over...
0:08:27 > 0:08:30- ..and turned it back into a home.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33- 1.25 million and six years later...
0:08:33 > 0:08:37- ..and it's ready - for the new owners to move in.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55- This is a highly unusual - executive home!
0:08:55 > 0:08:59- This ancient building - is equipped for modern living.
0:09:02 > 0:09:03- This is the kitchen.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06- There are lots of sockets - on the walls.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10- Why did it take six years - and 1.25 million...
0:09:10 > 0:09:12- ..to restore this house?
0:09:12 > 0:09:15- Because it was restored, - not renovated.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19- They've kept original features, - where possible.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23- Two men took a whole week to put - an iron bar through this beam...
0:09:24 > 0:09:25- ..to reinforce it.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31- The family that will live here - will enjoy lots of modern comforts.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- There's underfloor heating - throughout the house...
0:09:36 > 0:09:38- ..and plenty of electrical sockets.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41- Where will they put the microwave?
0:09:48 > 0:09:50- This could be a pantry.
0:09:50 > 0:09:55- The wind howls through here, so - the veg would definitely stay fresh!
0:10:21 > 0:10:22- This is the great hall.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26- I can see why they call it "great" - because it's huge!
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- What would you - do with a room like this?
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- It would make a good lounge.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36- There's a fireplace there, - which could be cosy.
0:10:37 > 0:10:38- It's a light room.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41- You could have this - as a banqueting hall.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- You can't have a banquet every - night of the week either, can you?
0:10:46 > 0:10:51- Having said that, you could hardly - sit here with a boiled egg!
0:10:51 > 0:10:52- It demands grandeur.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57- This is the main feature - of the great hall.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- This is the west wall of the room.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04- We tend to think graffiti was - invented by football hooligans...
0:11:05 > 0:11:10- ..but here's a record of the house's - residents of the past 200 years.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14- GK lived here in 1799 and - Thomas Butler lived here in 1813.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17- John Williams also lived here.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21- He was a member of the famous - Williams family from Sker.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- Anne Williams wrote a poem here.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28- "Anne Williams if my name - and England is my nation.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32- "Sker is my dwelling place - and Christ is my salvation."
0:11:34 > 0:11:38- This is the most recent addition - to this section of graffiti.
0:11:38 > 0:11:43- It was probably carved into - the stone by Tony Evans, in 1975.
0:11:44 > 0:11:49- Another feature of the hall is the - frieze that goes around the room.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- There are some grapes on the frieze.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55- The monks grew grapes, originally.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01- You'll find friezes like this in - houses of a similar age in Somerset.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05- It suggests there was a link - between Wales and England.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10- There are three potential bedrooms - on this floor...
0:12:10 > 0:12:13- ..and there are - some more rooms, upstairs.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26- For such a huge house, the bathrooms - and toilets are piffling!
0:12:26 > 0:12:30- There's hardly room for a shower - in here, never mind a bath.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33- Let's hope the new owners are short!
0:12:33 > 0:12:35- Is that Port Talbot?
0:12:41 > 0:12:46- It's said there was a secret church - in the attic of this house.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- Several things - lead people to believe that.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54- This narrow, awkward staircase - is one such thing.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58- Navy blue!
0:13:04 > 0:13:09- We're talking about a time - when Catholics were persecuted.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13- They needed safe churches - in which they could worship.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17- This is the second thing - that suggests this was a church.
0:13:17 > 0:13:22- A watchman could stand on this ledge - and look out of this window.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26- They'd be able to see - the king's soldiers coming.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30- Here's the third thing - that suggests this was a church.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39- There's a narrow room, - next to the church...
0:13:39 > 0:13:44- ..offering an escape route, - should the soldiers turn up.
0:13:45 > 0:13:50- They could enjoy the view, - as they scampered across the roof!
0:13:52 > 0:13:56- I wonder what the new owners - will make of it.
0:14:18 > 0:14:18- 888
0:14:18 > 0:14:20- 888
0:14:22 > 0:14:26- Many people are surprised - this house is here.
0:14:26 > 0:14:31- I'm not talking about local people, - because they know about it.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35- Local people keep telling me - that Cromwell stayed here.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38- There's no evidence. - It's a local legend.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42- The house was here at the time - of the Battle of St Fagans.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- Eleri and Brian Rogers - wanted a bigger house...
0:14:46 > 0:14:51- ..but they didn't expect to find one - of the oldest houses in Glamorgan.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56- Ty Mawr lies in the heart of Cardiff - and it's a Grade II listed building.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59- The house was built in 1583.
0:15:00 > 0:15:06- They were selling this house and the - cottage next door at the same time.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09- We couldn't afford - both properties...
0:15:09 > 0:15:13- ..and I asked if it would - be possible to buy one of them.
0:15:13 > 0:15:14- The vendors agreed.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17- Suddenly, it became possible.
0:15:17 > 0:15:22- We were worried we would - bite off more than we could chew...
0:15:22 > 0:15:26- ..but we knew what it entailed, - when we read the survey.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29- The Matthews family - built this house.
0:15:31 > 0:15:36- We can date it from the fireplace - that was in this house...
0:15:36 > 0:15:38- ..but is now in St Fagans.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42- The Matthews - were a high profile family.
0:15:43 > 0:15:44- They sponsored poets.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50- Where was the fireplace, originally?
0:15:50 > 0:15:52- Where was the fireplace, originally?- - We think it was right here.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56- There's another original fireplace - above here, upstairs.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00- We think the fireplace here - used the same chimney.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03- There's no trace of it now, - of course.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07- This is a picture of the fireplace.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10- This is the one - that belonged to this house.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15- It has now been set into a wall - at the castle, in St Fagans.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17- There's a date in the middle.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- Have you made a bid - to have it returned to you?
0:16:21 > 0:16:24- The previous owners tried...
0:16:24 > 0:16:27- ..but we've been told - they'll never give it back.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30- It's a little bit - like the Elgin Marbles!
0:16:31 > 0:16:32- Yes. It's terribly unjust!
0:16:34 > 0:16:38- We think the staircase was put in - when the fireplace was taken out.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41- It's around 100 years old.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47- The makers tried to replicate - the style of the house.
0:16:47 > 0:16:48- Yes, but they failed!
0:16:49 > 0:16:53- I like the steps themselves - because they're so solid.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57- I'm not keen on - the fake element of the staircase.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02- Is this the dining room?
0:17:02 > 0:17:04- Is this the dining room?- - Yes. Some of it is original.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08- There's an embarrassment of wood - in here, too!
0:17:08 > 0:17:10- The large beams are original.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13- We haven't altered this room.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15- You had to furnish the house...
0:17:15 > 0:17:20- ..with pieces that complement - the house's style and age.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23- Yes, we had to buy - some antique furniture.
0:17:23 > 0:17:29- My mother found several items - in sales, in the Llanfyllin area.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- That was used as an - animal feed storage unit on a farm!
0:17:34 > 0:17:36- Do people realise - how valuable they are?
0:17:37 > 0:17:40- No, they didn't and neither did I, - when I was young.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42- I thought they were ugly.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46- This wonderful dining table - seats ten people.
0:17:47 > 0:17:48- Yes, that's right.
0:17:49 > 0:17:54- This isn't an old table - but it fits in well with the room.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- We're not keen on the fireplaces.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03- They're quite old - and they have lots of character.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- I'd take them out - if CADW gave us permission!
0:18:08 > 0:18:12- I'll give you an idea - of the geography of this house.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14- We're leaving the dining room.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17- The old fireplace stood here.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21- The study is over here - and the kitchen is over there.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- This is the Victorian staircase...
0:18:24 > 0:18:27- ..and we're now entering - the main hall.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32- All the timber in here - was painted black, at one time.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36- We witnessed - the stripping work taking place.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45- Some might say this wood - was supposed to be black.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50- No, painting everything black - was a Victorian trend.
0:18:50 > 0:18:55- The grain was visible on the stairs - and we preferred it to black wood.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00- We didn't think it would be possible - to strip the wood.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04- It worked well.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06- How long did the work take?
0:19:06 > 0:19:10- Two and sometimes three people...
0:19:10 > 0:19:14- ..worked here every day - for five weeks.
0:19:14 > 0:19:15- They succeeded.
0:19:19 > 0:19:20- This room was depressing.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24- It was transformed - into a cheery room.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- Are the fireplaces listed, too?
0:19:27 > 0:19:29- What about the tiles, in the middle?
0:19:29 > 0:19:32- What about the tiles, in the middle?- - The owner of Melin Gruffydd - lived here.
0:19:32 > 0:19:32- What about the tiles, in the middle?
0:19:32 > 0:19:32- Part of the building was demolished - and those are his old roof tiles.
0:19:32 > 0:19:37- Part of the building was demolished - and those are his old roof tiles.
0:19:39 > 0:19:44- We're lucky because we can hold - traditional, Welsh evenings here.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- I feel - we actually use the house well.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54- You leave the lounge - and reach the back of the house.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58- Walk under this Victorian arch - and you see the stairs.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01- They painted the walls - with limewash.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05- Limewash - allows the walls to breathe.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08- The bedrooms are up here.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13- This is the bathroom.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16- This is Brian's office.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18- Brian is Eleri's husband.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- There's a more personal feel - to this room.
0:20:22 > 0:20:27- There are pictures on the walls, - like this Native American Indian.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29- Whatever floats your canoe!
0:20:30 > 0:20:33- If we leave this corridor...
0:20:33 > 0:20:36- ..we'll find the remaining bedrooms.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40- I'd say this cupboard was made - in the 18th century.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42- How do I know? - It says so, right here!
0:20:46 > 0:20:48- There are three bedrooms - on this floor.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51- This is an original fireplace.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55- The fireplace that is in St Fagans - stood directly below it.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58- We find the main staircase, - once again.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- We've had - a circular tour of the bedrooms...
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- ..and we're back in the lounge.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14- I wouldn't like to live here, - without the conservatory.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18- There's hardly a window to speak of - in the main room.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20- It gets very little natural light.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25- You could live here - and your health could suffer...
0:21:25 > 0:21:27- ..through a lack of daylight.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32- You can sit in the conservatory - and enjoy lots of sunlight.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36- It's surprising permission - was granted for building it.
0:21:37 > 0:21:38- Was permission granted?
0:21:38 > 0:21:39- Was permission granted?- - Who knows?
0:21:45 > 0:21:46- We were lucky.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50- We inherited the wisteria - and the geraniums.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- Some of the plants in the garden - are quite old.
0:21:56 > 0:22:01- It was well-planted and - well-designed, before we came here.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03- The garden is wonderful.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11- The children have moved out - but we do use the whole house.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18- We created this granny flat - for my mother.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- This was the biggest job we took on.
0:22:22 > 0:22:23- It was a huge task.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29- It's still damp, to a degree, - but the whole room was very damp.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32- We removed all the old plaster.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37- You can't keep out the damp - - it will seep through, somehow.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42- You may as well work with it - rather than try to conceal it.
0:22:44 > 0:22:49- We found a bowl made of bricks, - when we were carrying out the work.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53- They used it to boil clothes.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57- Gerallt from St Fagans came here - and verified it.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00- St Fagans didn't nick that as well, - did they?
0:23:00 > 0:23:05- No and they weren't pleased with us - for concealing it again...
0:23:05 > 0:23:08- ..but we didn't need - a clothes boiler.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11- Give us our fireplace back - and we'll consider it!
0:23:11 > 0:23:13- We'll do you a deal!
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- I like to think we've improved - the house's condition.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21- We haven't neglected things - or concealed problems.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25- I take pleasure in the fact - it isn't finished.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29- There's always - something that needs to be done.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33- I look forward - to making even more improvements.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53- S4C subtitles by- Eirlys A Jones
0:23:53 > 0:23:55