About Caer Llan: The current era
Having acquired Caer Llan in August 1969 Peter Carpenter set about the two-year project of converting the property into a Field Studies Centre and family home. The Centre welcomed its first visitors in 1971 and has subsequently become a popular venue for weddings, reunions, parties, conferences, study groups, field trips and workshops. Customers and friends from both the UK and abroad continue to return year after year, some from as far back as 1975.
Over the years the house and grounds at Caer Llan have been transformed with Peter's, and more recently Jake's, efforts and vision concentrating an on-going programme of modernisation and improvement which has sought to achieve contemporary standards whilst carefully preserving the property's heritage, character and personality.
Since Peter's well-earned retirement custodianship and future development has been in the hands of Jake and his wife Vicky who are committed to ensuring that Caer Llan continues to fulfill its dual role as family home and an appealing and innovative public venue. Their combined skills and experience – Jake's in civil engineering and construction and Vicky's in hospitality and IT – have resulted in a further programme of development including features such as bathroom replacement, new catering and hospitality facilities, wi-fi connections for guests and the expansion of the Function Room; all designed to bring Caer Llan firmly into the 21st century. They are also responsible for Caer Llan's continuing eco' policy.
The following are just some of the major restoration, renovation and development milestones which have resulted in the Caer Llan visitors see and enjoy today:
| 1969 – 1971 | Roof repairs and major renovation of the main house including installation of central heating, bathroom facilities, improved catering facilities and complete re-decoration and furnishing |
| 1971 | Caer Llan Field Studies Centre opens |
| 1975 | Lower garden landscaped |
| 1976 | Swimming pool rebuilt |
| 1977 | Dining-room created |
| 1978 | Chris Sanders arrives as head gardener (he's still here 2011!) |
| 1980 | Berm House designed |
| 1982 | Staff accommodation expanded |
| 1986 – 1988 | Berm House constructed (with financial support from the late Commander A F Collett) |
| 1987 | En-suite bathrooms added to bedrooms in the main house |
| 1992 | Stone spiral staircase added to the Berm House |
| 1993 | Conservatory added to the main house |
| 1999 | External renovation to the rear of the main house including window replacement |
| 2000 – 2001 | Car park constructed |
| 2002 | Curved retaining wall to the lower terrace rebuilt |
| 2003 | Patio area redeveloped with relieving arches |
| 2004 | Main house re-roofed |
| 2005 | Property re-wired |
| 2006 | Victorian glasshouse in the lower garden restored |
| 2006 – 2007 | Main house bedrooms and conference rooms refurbished |
| 2008 – | Our programme of updates and refurbishment continues including: WiFi; kitchen and catering improvements; Entrance Hall and Function Room improvements; under-floor heating in the Bar and new bathrooms in the main house |
We are proud to have been awarded 5 stars for food hygiene by the Food Standard Agency.
See our rating on the Food Standard Agency website.
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