For £3.75 million, a 500-acre woodland estate is offered for sale. It has a river, ponds, and a hole used to mine precious metal in the 19th century.
Hugh Johnson, a best-selling wine expert, is the owner of the rural property, which contains the ancient mine where gold was formerly prized.
Cae Gwian Forestry Estate in North Wales, which has been in his family for more than 30 years, is being sold by Mr. Johnson, who is asking for at least £3.75 million.
The ruins of a 19th-century goldmine lie in the centre, according to Mr. Johnson, the author of the yearly Pocket Wine Book (though it produced more copper than gold).
“Its water source, the Afon Dwynant, runs through the centre of the property, and four ancient stone cottages placed among the woods get water from the leat that powered the mine’s water wheel.
We renovated the former mining office building, complete with a beautiful fireplace, to use as our shelter and picnic area.
We also built two sizable ponds, the taller one serving as our serene bathing area in the hills. In addition to being a wise investment, Cae Gwian has served as our family’s getaway for a generation.
The resort, which is situated in Snowdonia National Park on the Afon Mawddach river, has earned Royal Welsh honours for its business administration.
The historic goldmine was established in the 19th century when prospectors came to the region during the Welsh gold rush.
Before installing and constructing new rails and a water-powered mill, miners excavated the shafts before it was shut down in 1900.
However, part of the area that is designated as ancient woodland has been utilised to grow trees and generate wood in the last 60 years.
According to Mr. Johnson, “Cae Gwian is an unusual forest of exceptional beauty and charm, stretching over two hill ranges, one overlooking the River Mawdach estuary and the higher one overlooking the first, a green valley with sheep grazing in it, and beyond the rocky massif of Cader Idris to the south and the Irish Sea to the west.”
Stone roads enable access to the different sections of the forest and provide breathtaking vantage views; trails (two of which are public) follow the stream and connect to additional vantage spots.
“This is a rare chance to purchase a lovely piece of rural Wales,” said Mike Tustin, director of sellers Tustins.
“Those who aspire to acquire a fast-growing forestry asset should find the unique combination of a position in the Snowdonia National Park and all the components of an exceptional commercial forest to be enticing.”