What's New!
Latest Update 23rd February 2010 - This page is intended to keep customers and friends, old and new, up to date with what's happening at Caer Llan. It is updated on a regular basis.
Written by Jake (me) it largely reflects the work that I have been doing here to continually upgrade / update Caer Llan to try to improve the experience for our guests.
Bathroom refurbishment - Feb 2010
Frantically doing these bathrooms in between guests. It's difficult but progress is really showing now. 9 out of 15 have been done. Just the 6 in the berm house to do, but they will be a bit easier. The new ones are very very nice, and room 1 in particular is simply stunning. Photos to follow soon, but I apologise for the lack of updates to anybody who actually reads this.
Visit Wales grading - August 2009
A year after our first grading in which Caer Llan received 3 stars from the Visit Wales tourist assosciation, we have now been re-graded with 4 stars.
Bathroom refurbishment 2009/2010
A program of complete refurbishment on all of the bathrooms has started in June 2009. It is intended to completely gut and refit all of the ensuites throughout the house, whilst also changing layouts where necessary. The main house and berm house both contains 7 guest rooms each. All existing baths in the main house will be preserved whilst 5 of the 7 baths in the berm house ensuites will be replaced with luxury showers contained within modern wet rooms.
Room 6 was completed in June whilst Room Honolulu has become the first wetroom in the berm house. It has been designed with easy access and grab rails, so as to also provide a dedicated ensuite for people with disabilities. We are very greatful for the consultancy advice offered to us by one of our friends Tinka Mann. Thanks Tinka!!
A new bedroom for Caer Llan - August 2009
The bathroom refurbsihment program is proving extremely difficult to shedule into a very busy year in which bedrooms have been promised to visitors at the time of booking. We have therefore revitalised an old staff room in the attic area of the main house and created a gorgeous new double / twin room with an ensuite wet room. Room 7, our 15th room is new throughout and has spectacular views over the gardens and valley beyond. A new staircase provides much improved access to the attic area whilst the low ceilings and quirky dormer windows give the room real character. The room is available as a bridal suite for wedding couples, but the superking size double bed features zip and link matresses such that the bed can be easily split into two single beds. The oak headboard has been made out of a tree from the grounds.
It is hoped that in the coming months, where possible, the additional bedroom can be offered in advance to groups in order to free one of the existing bedrooms during their stay. The bathroom refurbishment can then continue without disruption to guests. This will of course be done with plenty of notice and all the necessary planning.
Bar and Dining room refurbishment update - May 2009
After an extremely busy couple of months at Caer LLan we have now had time to reflect on the changes that have been made and judge the success based on how some of our customers have found the space. The feedback from both new and existing customers has been unanimously in favour. "Wow!" has been the reaction from so many people who have got to see both before and after. Anyhow, here are a few pictures:
Bar and Dining room refurbishment - February 2009
Caer Llan was officially closed for 6 weeks from the end of January and all through February in order that the bar and dining area could be refurbished. The area has been entirely transformed by combining the bar and dining area into a wonderful open space. Large hardwood windows and giant French doors stream light into the previously dark dining area, framing the spectacular valley views which can now be enjoyed even at breakfast time. The room has been re-insulated with underfloor heating providing a luxurious radiant heat during the colder months. Large format welsh slate tiles provide a beautiful new floor covering, whilst High spec LED downlighters and uplighters can create mood lighting for any occassion. The lighting has been carefully chosen with high energy efficiency in mind without comprimising brightness or versatility (the whole space uses under 100 watts of lighting power). A new bar then provides the focal point of the area. Special thanks go to a select few people who worked so hard to achieve so much in such a short space of time. In particular, Richie, Rufus, Pip and Darcy. Thanks also to commercial interior designer Adam Burtt-Jones and Lighting specialist Geoff Jones of I-Vision UK. Photos of the new area will follow shortly so watch this space.
Vicky becomes a partner - November 2008
Vicky (Jake's wife) has now become a full partner in the business along with Peter and Jake. Vicky gained a 1st class honours degree in IT several years ago, so her input towards this website and the IT systems at Caer Llan have already proved invaluable. More importantly though, she now brings a feminine touch to a previously very male orientated business setup. She has huge experience within the hospitality industry and her management skills have already transformed the catering and housekeeping departments. She also takes on the major role of answering your enquiries, liasing with customers and has become the Caer Llan wedding planner.
Fire place stone carving - September 2008
The fire place surround at Caer Llan is now fully completed thanks to the addition of a custom made limestone carving. Liz Grundy from Barnsley, a new customer and friend, was commissioned to create a stone carving to be set into the surround of the main hall fireplace. The finished creation is stunning and provides the grand eye catching entrance to the building as intended. Thanks Liz, we love it! One of Caer Llan's longest and dearest friends Pete Filkins, now a university professer in Massachusettes, has very generously donated the carving to Caer Llan. Thanks Pete, come and see your stone soon.
New solid oak floor for Common Room and Reception Hall - September 2008
Refurbishment within the common room and reception hall has now been completed following the installation of an all new solid oak floor. The 200 year old original English oak floor consisted of fabulous oak planks, but they had been badly laid. The floor as a whole was made up of 5 separate patches and the edges had become damaged. The timber joists making up the sub-floor had also sunk, so the floor was no longer level and certain areas would also spring when walked upon. It was recognised that by simply taking it up, sorting out the sub-floor and then relaying it, there would not be enough oak boards to re- cover the area. It was therefore decided to put down an all new solid oak floor. The old floor was consequently lifted and the joists renewed where necessary and then levelled. The all new floor was laid within a matter of days and then treated with a hardwax floor oil. Thanks to Richie and Brian for helping to complete a superb job.
Approximately half of the original floor was salvaged and is reusable. It was recognised that the original floor was of high commercial value but more importantly it's home was within Caer Llan. It is therefore in safe, dry storage and ready to be de-nailed, planed and then re-laid in the dining room hopefully next year.
Visit Wales grading - July 29th 2008
Caer Llan has in the last few days been graded for the first time by the visit Wales tourist association. We were very excited to have received 3 stars on our very first inspection. We were also informed that we were right at the cusp of 3-4 stars. As expected the bathrooms, which although clean and fully serviceable, were considered to be under par for 4 stars and consequently lowered our grade to 3 stars. A program of complete refurbishment for the bathrooms had already been drawn up and we will aim to be regraded for 4 stars as soon as the refits are done.
Main House Refurbishment program - July 20th 2008
Major changes have now happened in the Common Room. Over the past few weeks the room has been completely gutted and then restored with a similar fresh theme to the reception hall next door. New bright ceilings and walls through out are complemented by the custom made plaster cornice, large archway and two all new folding walls / doors linking the common room to its adjacent rooms, the conservatory and the reception hall. The doors can be closed or opened right out creating a huge open plan space which amongst other uses can seat up to 100 people together for dining (Great for weddings). Thanks to Richie and Darcy once again for your help during my hour of need. Although the work appears complete, more improvements are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks: the old oak floor which is now looking a bit tired is to be replaced in September with a new solid oak floor, whilst a fire place to match the one in the hall is to be constructed where the original one was removed 25 years ago. The chimney is no longer serviceable, so the fire place will be solely a decorative feature.
We have had to say good bye to a couple of treasures which have been at Caer Llan throughout the 39 years as a field centre. The common room mural which was progressively deteriorating has now gone and is replaced with the all new foldiing wall made up of four large bi-fold doors. The stunning view at the front of the house can now be enjoyed from the bar at the back of the house, or the doors can be closed separating the common room from the hall as before. The grand piano has also been sold to a good home in Edinburgh via Ebay. The space saving is huge but we do miss it. However, a reconditioned Bechstein upright is now situated in the bar.
The old passageway joining the hall and the bar has now been converted into a storage cupbaord for our stacking chairs and folding tables. Large doors at either end of the cupboard ensure that furniture is easily accessible without having to move everything to get something at the back.
Here are some pictures showing the common room refurbishment, before, during and after.
Main House Refurbishment program - April 2008
Following on from the refurbishment of the Lecture Room, the Board Room and all of the bedrooms, the program of improvements has seen massive changes to the main entrance hall. The room has been transformed with the addition of a huge arched opening directly linking the hall to the bar. The work has been carried out in a matter of weeks by me with a little help from my friends, Richie, Darcy and Cliff. An all new open fire place with solid oak surround gives a warm welcome when entering the front door, whilst high skirting and custom made plaster cornice preserves the stateliness of the grand entrance hall. The Common Room is to be restored to a similar specification within the coming weeks.
Before |
After |
Fire Place - April 2008
During the refurbishment of the Reception Hall, the original fire place was replaced with a less obtrusive custom made feature which grabs the eye when entering the front door. The hearth and stone surround is made from Forest of Dean stone. The whole structure is then framed with a solid oak surround made in my shed from a 200 year old oak tree which was removed from the garden in 1995 and has been seasoning in one of the garages ever since. The existing open wood burner was removed, cleaned up and re-fitted. One of our customers, Liz Grundy is currently hand carving a custom made stone to be fitted into the void just below the mantle.
SSSI Woods at Caer Llan - February 2008
The 8 acre woodland area alongside the house at Caer Llan is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Following consultation with the Countryside Commission for Wales (CCW) a management agreement was devised such that the habitats for wildlife and native plantlife within this beautiful woodland are preserved. Recommendations from CCW included the complete removal of the invasive cherry laurel which was rife throughout the woods. A grant funded operation involving 2 tree surgeons and myself took approximately 2 weeks to clear and burn all signs of the laurel.
The woods are now clear of the dense jungle like plant which was inhibiting natural regeneration of species at the forest floor. Although, walking in the Caer Llan wood is now an even more fulfilling experience, the management program will aim to further improve this area with the introduction of informative nature trails.
Berm House Ventilation System - April 2008
The new Berm house ventilation system has been fully functional since the end of January. The main Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) unit has been installed in the ceiling void of the lobby at the far end of the corridor. The 70 kg HRV unit is suspended from the concrete roof using threaded bars. It has 2 inlets and 2 outlets connected to the ductwork, with twin fans running simultaneously. One of the fans extracts warm stale air from the bathrooms and blows it outside. The other fan pulls cool fresh air from outside and blows it into the corridor where it is then drawn into the rooms. A heat exchange process takes place within the fan unit such that the heat of the outgoing stale air is transferred into the incoming fresh air.
Initial customer feedback has been very positive with many existing customers commenting on the fresher and quieter bedrooms.
Berm House Ventilation System - January 2008
For the additional comfort of our guests staying in The Berm House, we have decided to upgrade the berm house ventilation system. I am currently installing an all new state of the art system. New, suitably sized duct work has been fitted throughout, and the existing noisy bathroom fans in each bedroom are to be replaced with a single high spec heat recovery ventilation fan which is being installed in the lobby ceiling void at the far end of the corridor. The new system aims to increase the air changes per hour within the bedrooms by further removing stale air and thus providing a fresher feel. In keeping with the buildings energy efficient status, a heat exchanger within the new fan (HRV), recovers up to 95% of the heat which would otherwise be extracted from the building, and recirculates it as fresh air back into the rooms. The HRV is not a heater, it merely seeks to preserve what heat is already there. The design of the new system does however increase the functionality of the solar corridor in capturing the sun's energy which serves as the only form of heating for the building. The system will also feature lower running costs, further reducing the carbon footprint of what is still one of Europe's lowest energy buildings. The system is due to be completed, commissioned and tested by the end of January. Thanks to Paul Schourfield of EMS Hereford for supply of materials, products and design advice / consultancy for which Paul gave many hours of his time. Thank you!
The First Civil Wedding at Caer Llan - December 2007
On the 28th December 2007, Australian Lance Kingdon married his English bride Valerie Brookham at Caer Llan. The ceremony took place in the lecture room and was witnessed by about 40 of their friends and family. A good old Caer Llan party followed the event. The couple are long term friends of Caer Llan, so it was a very special experience.
Credit Card Facilities - December 2007
We are now able to accept all major credit and debit cards as a means of payment.
Berm House Upgrade - December 2007
All the Berm House bedroom ceilings have had the artex removed and a smooth plastered finish applied. In addition the cental light fitting within each bedroom has been renewed, with the existing 16 watt output being upgraded to 28 watts. Although this might be regarded as a step in the wrong direction for a low energy building, some of our guests found the previous lights too dim. The additional 12 watts has made a vast improvement to the light intensity whilst still remaining in the low energy bracket.
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Civil Weddings - October 2007
Caer Llan has recently become licensed for civil marriage ceremonies. In addition to facilitating wedding receptions for up to 100 people, the venue can now host civil ceremonies in any of three appointed rooms. This is largely due to the growing number of enquiries and requests for this service.
New Website - October 2007
This website has been constructed entirely by myself and Vicky Carpenter: A joint effort which has taken several months to achieve and involved late nights and lots of tea. Hopefully the site reflects what Caer Llan is about, captures some of it's beauty through photographs that I take around the place, and portrays relevent information to those who need it, in an easily understood and accessible manner. Any comments regarding the site are very welcome.
Main House Bedrooms - October 2007
For those of you who have not visited for a year or so, all seven of the main house bedrooms have been fully refurbished. New ceilings, replastered walls, new carpets and redecoration has left a modern and clean finish evident throughout the middle floor. Thanks to Lance and Richie for your help.
