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0:00:00 > 0:00:04- This week's featured county's - greatest asset is farming.
0:00:04 > 0:00:09- Its agricultural land - is among the most fertile in Wales.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13- That's what allowed - some of this county's farmers...
0:00:13 > 0:00:15- ..to build some remarkable houses.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19- Welcome to Y Ty Cymreig - from Carmarthenshire.
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0:00:40 > 0:00:45- In this show, an old cottage - built with the rubble of the past.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48- A gentry house - restored to its original glory.
0:00:49 > 0:00:54- A monster of a castle which stands - within a drop kick of Stradey Park.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58- First, a farmhouse which will be - familiar to some of you.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16- In a county which - relies heavily on agriculture...
0:01:16 > 0:01:20- ..I assume there's no lack - of farmhouses in Carmarthenshire!
0:01:21 > 0:01:23- No, there's no lack of them...
0:01:23 > 0:01:26- ..but I struggled - to find unaltered examples.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30- Most farmhouses date back - only 100 to 150 years.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35- Most aren't listed, so they have - plastic windows and new roofs.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38- Their original features - have been lost.
0:01:40 > 0:01:45- This farm has lost - none of its original features.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48- It has appeared in several films...
0:01:48 > 0:01:52- ..and was the farm - Ffynnon Oer - - in the TV series "Y Palmant Aur".
0:01:56 > 0:02:00- Farmhouses don't come - much more traditional than this.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05- No, but this type of building - is all too rare in Carmarthenshire.
0:02:05 > 0:02:10- It's hard to find a house with - its original limewashed walls...
0:02:10 > 0:02:14- ..original sash windows - and original door.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18- The houses of Carmarthenshire - have all been renovated.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22- This was the farmhouse - in "Y Palmant Aur".
0:02:22 > 0:02:24- It has featured - in other films too.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29- Yes, it appeared in a Spanish film - and in "Tan ar y Comin".
0:02:29 > 0:02:32- It's rather sad that we must always - come to the same house...
0:02:33 > 0:02:36- ..if we want to view a traditional - Carmarthenshire farmhouse.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38- Tell me about the porch.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40- Tell me about the porch.- - It isn't original.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43- However, - it is typical of the county.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46- You'll see several of these - in Newcastle Emlyn.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50- It's a feature added especially - for "Tan ar y Comin".
0:02:51 > 0:02:54- The most important thing - about this house...
0:02:54 > 0:02:58- ..is its relation to the - outbuildings around the farmyard.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02- Howell Jones owned this farm - in Victorian times.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06- He went to an agricultural college - in Edinburgh...
0:03:06 > 0:03:10- ..and he was the first Welshman - to study agriculture.
0:03:11 > 0:03:16- He came home bursting with new ideas - about how to run the perfect farm.
0:03:17 > 0:03:22- Victorians ran farms like machines - and had a room for every purpose.
0:03:22 > 0:03:27- It ran like clockwork and it's still - a fully-functioning farm.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41- Those are the stables - and the farmhands' bedrooms.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46- Next to that is the barn - and the cowshed is at the bottom.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49- All of this was one huge cowshed.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52- Cattle were kept indoors - for six months during the winter.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56- This was the first farm in Wales - to produce silage.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59- They had plenty of feed - to last all winter.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02- These were the best stables.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06- There were six horses on that side - and three on this side.
0:04:06 > 0:04:12- It's a different class of stabling, - as this was the mansion's home farm.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15- The best horses were stabled there.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17- That's the coach house.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21- David and Jinsy Robinson - now farm here.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27- The outbuildings are used every day, - as you'd expect on a modern farm.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29- They're very aware of the history...
0:04:30 > 0:04:34- ..and they strive to keep the house - and farmyard unaltered.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36- We enjoy living here.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40- We're fortunate to work and live - in a beautiful spot.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43- We must keep it beautiful - and stop it from crumbling.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46- We must maintain the roof.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49- If the roof goes, everything goes.
0:04:49 > 0:04:54- I've repaired - the roofs, windows and doors.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58- The original roof timbers - remain in place.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05- Behind the sheds that are in view, - there are a few modern sheds.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10- We have silage pits - and we use modern machines.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14- We keep the 21st century machinery - off the farmyard.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19- We make a living from our dairy herd - and from our sheep.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24- From the nature of the floor, - I sense a wall has been demolished.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27- The interior - is not really what you'd expect.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32- Yes, the exterior is unaltered - but it's a different story inside.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36- The stone arch - has left me completely baffled.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39- There wasn't a fireplace there.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44- The house is one of the earliest - barn conversions in Wales!
0:05:46 > 0:05:49- David renovated the fireplace.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54- David also added the wooden arch - to support the beams above here...
0:05:56 > 0:05:59- ..and he created - this wonderful furniture.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01- He's a first-class carpenter.
0:06:07 > 0:06:12- I enjoy it and it's cheaper - than buying furniture.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16- I make furniture - to the exact dimensions we require.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20- Carpentry was taught properly - in my schooldays.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22- It's in the blood, as they say.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24- It comes easily to me.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- What does the future hold - for the house?
0:06:33 > 0:06:38- I hope my children carry on, - as I carried on my father's work.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44- We'll take good care of it and give - our children a chance to live here.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01- Where on earth have you brought me?
0:07:04 > 0:07:09- It's a traditional farmhouse - in a county famed for agriculture.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13- Yes, it's a traditional - Carmarthenshire farmhouse.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- The house was built circa 1900.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22- It's great to see the cowshed, - the stables and the barn...
0:07:22 > 0:07:24- ..with their original windows.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- We're here to see - what's behind the farmhouse.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43- Oh, we're here to see that! Alright.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48- The original house and the new house - are on the same site.
0:07:48 > 0:07:54- Almost all the thatched cottages - in Carmarthenshire have disappeared.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- It's great to see - a vernacular cottage...
0:07:59 > 0:08:02- ..next to a traditional 1900s house.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- It's crying out for slate - or even red tiles!
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- Yes - concrete tiles!
0:08:09 > 0:08:14- You're about to say the thatch - isn't tied correctly in the chimney!
0:08:14 > 0:08:18- No, I'm just delighted to see - a thatched roof in Carmarthenshire.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24- It's good to see a thatched chimney, - which is typical of this area.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- I also love - the limewashed gable end.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- The interior - is as traditional as the exterior.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33- It's stunning!
0:08:33 > 0:08:36- The design is simplicity itself.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40- There's a kitchen - with a huge fireplace.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44- The louvre chimney - is also typical of Carmarthenshire.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- The modern kitchen - is in what was the parlour.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53- The bedroom is in the garret.
0:08:53 > 0:08:58- In what condition was it - before the renovation?
0:08:58 > 0:09:00- Only the foundations remained.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02- Everything you see is brand new.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05- They've done a great job.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09- They stuck to the original design - with a kitchen and a parlour.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13- There were pigsties - where the bathroom stands...
0:09:13 > 0:09:15- ..and a garret.
0:09:15 > 0:09:21- The detail is good - things like the - louvre chimney and limewashed walls.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26- The trusses with scarf joints - are traditional to this area.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30- A few things in this house - look more modern.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33- The oak looks new - and indeed, is quite new.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37- They haven't tried to disguise - the fact that it's a modern house.
0:09:37 > 0:09:42- They don't want to live in the past - but they respect the original house.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57- The work of realizing the dream...
0:09:57 > 0:10:01- ..was in the hands of the - young farm owner, Robin Whelans.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05- I started in 2003 - and I've only just finished.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07- I've done everything.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11- It has a new thatch, new windows - and new floors.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13- The materials are all local.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18- The timber, the stone - and even the curtain fabric.
0:10:18 > 0:10:23- The hazel for the louvre chimney - grew right here.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- Did you use only local materials?
0:10:28 > 0:10:32- Yes, apart from the thatched roof - - the reeds came from Turkey.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36- There are over 2,500 wine bottles - under the floor.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- We used them - to create an insulation effect.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42- Do they insulate the floor?
0:10:42 > 0:10:43- Do they insulate the floor?- - Yes, in theory!
0:10:51 > 0:10:53- This is the old pigsty.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57- It's a small room - but it makes a lovely bathroom.
0:10:57 > 0:10:58- This is wonderful.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00- Yes. It's very simple.
0:11:00 > 0:11:06- It's lucky we're in the countryside - because this leads onto the yard.
0:11:06 > 0:11:11- I'm glad there's a bolt on the door, - or we'd all see your jingle-jangles!
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0:11:32 > 0:11:33- I may have misled you.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38- Not everyone lived in a farmhouse - in the old Carmarthenshire.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42- Some people were rich enough - to build gentry houses...
0:11:42 > 0:11:44- ..like Neuadd Fawr, Llanwrda.
0:11:44 > 0:11:49- It has remained unchanged - since the reign of Charles II...
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- ..give or take a few coats of paint!
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- It looks fantastic in this setting.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08- Has it always looked like this?
0:12:08 > 0:12:13- No, the house was empty and going - to wrack and ruin five years ago.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- It saddened me to see the place.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19- It took three years - to restore this house...
0:12:20 > 0:12:24- ..and it has blossomed - into a fantastic Welsh house.
0:12:24 > 0:12:30- Do you think the ochre limewash - covered the original walls?
0:12:30 > 0:12:33- The house - dates back to the 17th century.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36- It's a classic design - from that period.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41- Limewash was red, ochre, orange - and salmon pink in those days.
0:12:42 > 0:12:47- The gentry demonstrated their wealth - in features like limewash colours.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50- It was a bit flashy, wasn't it? - Orange!
0:12:50 > 0:12:52- Yes. This was a very flashy house.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- It's called - Neuadd Fawr (Great Hall).
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- It's certainly great - but is it a hall house?
0:13:13 > 0:13:15- No, this isn't a hall house.
0:13:15 > 0:13:20- A hall house may have stood - on this site before it was built.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23- As you can see, - it isn't an open, hall house.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26- It was built - in the late 17th century...
0:13:26 > 0:13:29- ..and this was a brand new design.
0:13:29 > 0:13:34- A central corridor with a room - on each side and a rear staircase.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- We still use this design, of course.
0:13:39 > 0:13:40- This is a wide corridor.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43- You could drive a coach - through here!
0:13:44 > 0:13:48- Were these partition walls - included in the original house?
0:13:50 > 0:13:54- These are new walls, rebuilt during - the recent renovation.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58- You can see where the originals were - from the beams.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- The corridor was always this wide.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06- It was the most important house in - Llanwrda and indicative of wealth.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12- They had a fancy staircase and a - chimney down the side of the house.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14- Ceilings were also innovative.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18- Many people lived in open, - hall houses in the 17th century.
0:14:19 > 0:14:20- It was a fancy, or very grand house.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37- What's the story behind the house?
0:14:38 > 0:14:40- It was a wedding present...
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- ..from Mr Powell, the squire, - to his daughter.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- She married a barrister from Dublin.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- They built the best house - money could buy for her...
0:14:51 > 0:14:55- ..in a successful attempt - to get her to move back home.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58- The furniture fits in well, - in my opinion.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- Does it suit - the 17th century period?
0:15:01 > 0:15:04- Yes, - they are almost all Welsh pieces.
0:15:04 > 0:15:09- Dan Clayton-Jones, the owner, - wanted to renovate the property...
0:15:09 > 0:15:11- ..and create a Welsh house.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- He bought - 17th and 18th century furniture.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17- It creates a lovely atmosphere.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23- I'm very fond of the tapestry - on the wall.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28- The subject of the tapestry - is a wedding celebration...
0:15:29 > 0:15:32- ..which is apt for a house - which was a wedding present.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42- The floor slants in all directions!
0:15:42 > 0:15:46- I've never felt this drunk - while being stone cold sober!
0:15:47 > 0:15:50- The structure of the house - has subsided.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53- They worked hard - to rescue the building.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56- Repairs were carried out - to the stairs.
0:15:56 > 0:16:01- Steel was used upstairs - to tie the walls together.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04- What with the bowing walls - and the heavy roof...
0:16:04 > 0:16:07- ..we're lucky it's still standing.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36- Much of Carmarthenshire's wealth - stems from agriculture...
0:16:37 > 0:16:41- ..but the industrial revolution - created pockets of money...
0:16:42 > 0:16:46- ..in certain parts of the county, - such as Llanelli.
0:16:47 > 0:16:52- The wealth which created this house - came from industry and farming.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00- It's hard to believe we're only - a mile from Llanelli town centre.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02- This is a different world.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06- Yes, and we're looking - at a Victorian mansion...
0:17:06 > 0:17:08- ..in an amazing setting.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12- This is the sort of house - you usually detest!
0:17:12 > 0:17:14- You know me too well!
0:17:15 > 0:17:19- The more I learn about houses - like this, the more I love them.
0:17:19 > 0:17:24- It's great, once you understand - what they were trying to create.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26- It's a fascinating place.
0:17:33 > 0:17:38- Stradey Castle replaced the old, - traditional Mansel Lewis home.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41- This new mansion - boasted great sea views...
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- ..and was also far away from - the noise and fumes of industry.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51- This looks like a Victorian house...
0:17:52 > 0:17:57- ..with one or two echoes - of medieval times.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59- Yes, - that's what they tried to create.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02- They wanted to build - a Tudor mansion...
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- ..but building work - didn't start until 1847.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10- What Victorian features - can be seen in this building?
0:18:11 > 0:18:15- Everything about this house - is trying to be Tudor.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18- The shape and size of the windows.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- The crenellations - - the frames above the bay window.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24- This is a house of two halves.
0:18:24 > 0:18:29- The main chunk of it is behind us - and the far end is an extension...
0:18:29 > 0:18:32- ..built 20 years - after the main part.
0:18:36 > 0:18:41- Stradey Castle was so vast, - a few rooms were never completed...
0:18:41 > 0:18:44- ..and others weren't utilized.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49- It was an amazing playground for a - child who is now heir to the estate.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53- When I was a child, I was very happy - to live in the house.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56- It was wonderful - to live in a big house like this.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01- My sisters and I - had lots of fun in this house.
0:19:03 > 0:19:09- We'd climb up the stairs - and out onto the flat roof.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14- We'd run around the cellars - and the basement.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24- This is what I'd call - an impressive lobby!
0:19:25 > 0:19:30- This must be the best - Victorian stairwell in Wales.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- Really splendid.
0:19:32 > 0:19:37- You wouldn't design something like - this for your family, would you?
0:19:37 > 0:19:39- This has to be a public space.
0:19:39 > 0:19:44- The staircase invites us upstairs, - so our journey begins there.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50- It's really dark.
0:19:50 > 0:19:55- Imagine how it would have been with - the original, dark wallpaper, too!
0:19:55 > 0:20:00- The house's main feature - is that remarkable lantern!
0:20:01 > 0:20:03- Good heavens!
0:20:03 > 0:20:05- It's a replica - of a medieval lantern.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09- The carving is almost out of this - world! It's wonderful.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13- It's there to illuminate - the paintings on the walls.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17- This house feels - like a public art gallery.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20- When you walk in, - you see this huge painting.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27- There are important paintings - on every wall of this house.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31- Many of the rooms of this mansion - were designed to display art.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35- This family has strong links - to the art world.
0:20:35 > 0:20:40- Charles William Mansel Lewis was - the famous artist in this family.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44- His work and the work of - Hubert Herkomer, a German artist...
0:20:44 > 0:20:46- ..is displayed here.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55- Charles William Mansel Lewis, - my great-grandfather...
0:20:56 > 0:21:00- ..met an artist - called Hubert Herkomer in London.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04- The two young men - became great friends.
0:21:04 > 0:21:09- One painting - was on an artist's easel...
0:21:09 > 0:21:11- ..in a studio on King's Road.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16- It was entitled - "After the Toil of the Day".
0:21:17 > 0:21:20- My great-grandfather - loved the painting so much...
0:21:21 > 0:21:23- ..he bought it on the spot!
0:21:25 > 0:21:29- The two men had opportunities - to meet here at Stradey.
0:21:32 > 0:21:38- Herkomer certainly influenced - my great-grandfather's work...
0:21:40 > 0:21:42- ..and I believe...
0:21:42 > 0:21:47- ..that my great-grandfather - influenced Herkomer's work in turn.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56- The rooms are so spacious...
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- ..there's plenty of room here to - display these wonderful paintings.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05- They're over 100 years old...
0:22:05 > 0:22:09- ..and they appear - as if they've always been here.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14- The original plan - was to create an ancient mansion...
0:22:14 > 0:22:17- ..and now, - it has an air of authenticity.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21- Yes, it's started to adopt - that original style.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23- These people were pioneers.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28- This was one of the first houses - in Wales to have electricity...
0:22:28 > 0:22:31- ..and they still use - the 110 volt system.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37- This is a lovely dining room - with a stunning fireplace...
0:22:37 > 0:22:42- ..that wouldn't look out of place - in the Palace of Westminster.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44- It reminds me of Pugin's work.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- Wow, Aled! You've got to see this!
0:22:57 > 0:22:58- It's fantastic.
0:22:59 > 0:23:00- It's the original bath.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05- Look at these brass taps - and this incredible shower head!
0:23:07 > 0:23:09- It's deep.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11- It's really deep!
0:23:11 > 0:23:14- You could get - the whole Scarlets team in here.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16- It's great!
0:23:16 > 0:23:19- You climbed three steps to get in.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21- You climbed three steps to get in.- - I'll go down three steps to get out!
0:23:30 > 0:23:35- People take a keen interest - in houses like Stradey...
0:23:35 > 0:23:39- ..but I don't want - to turn it into a museum.
0:23:39 > 0:23:44- Stradey is steeped in heritage - of historical interest...
0:23:44 > 0:23:48- ..but essentially, - Stradey is my family home.
0:23:49 > 0:23:54- It's very important - that Stradey remains my home.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18- S4C subtitles by Eirlys A Jones
0:24:18 > 0:24:19- .