UK Uncovered: Hensol Castle, Vale of Glamorgan

Location

Situated just 11 miles from Cardiff in Pendoylan lies new Acorn Property Group development, Hensol Grove. This picturesque scheme is positioned within a 650-acre private estate, boasting the Grade I listed Hensol Castle, a Gothic-style edifice renowned as an exclusive venue for weddings and conferences at The Vale Resort. The resort is celebrated for its two championship golf courses and top-tier leisure amenities, including tennis courts and a spa. Additionally, it serves as a training ground for the Welsh National rugby and football teams, as well as Cardiff City Football Club.

Residents of Hensol Grove will enjoy immediate access to the estate's private grounds, lakes, and a walled garden. Its close proximity to Cardiff also offers convenient connections to the M4 motorway, along with easy access to the city centre's shopping and recreational facilities.

A Brief History of Hensol Castle

In 1927, Glamorgan County Council purchased Hensol Castle, converting it into a hospital. By 1930, it began operating as a residential facility for men with learning disabilities, in accordance with the 1913 Mental Deficiency Act. In 1935, new buildings were added behind the main house, marking the year when the hospital expanded its services to include women and children, followed by more expansions in the late 1940s. Towards the end of the 20th century, as medical practices evolved, the number of residents at the hospital gradually decreased, leading to its closure in 2003. The property was then acquired by Gerald Leeke, a local entrepreneur and the head of the Leekes group of companies in 2013. Read more on Hensol Castle’s captivating history.

The Modern Day Hensol Castle & The Vale Resort

Hensol Castle now serves as a multifaceted venue, perfect for weddings, distinctive conference settings, and gin crafting experiences in their own distillery. It's also a chosen spot for various events like Christmas parties and afternoon tea gatherings.

The Vale Resort boasts two championship golf courses: the renowned 7,433-yard Wales National and the Lake Course. These courses have hosted numerous PGA golf tournaments, offering both challenging and enjoyable experiences for golf breaks, holidays, and weekend retreats in Wales.

The Vale presents a range of dining options, with the Vale Bar & Grill offering a 'Best of Welsh' menu. The restaurant prioritises local, seasonal ingredients and is complemented by a wide selection of wines and champagnes. For a more casual dining experience, the Vale Leisure Bar and the Vale Golf Bar are ideal choices.

The Hensol Grove Development

Hensol Grove is an exclusive collection of sixteen homes set across two separate sites situated within the magnificent grounds of Hensol Castle. Designed with sustainability in mind, these homes will feature a bespoke and superior energy efficient specification. New residents will also have the exclusive grounds, lakes and a walled garden right on their doorstep. The Mews at Hensol Grove comprises nine 2-and-3 bedroom houses and one 3-bedroom single storey home. The Villas at Hensol Grove will feature six executive 4-and-5 bedroom detached houses. Given the exclusive nature of the development situated in one of Wales most prestigious estates we are confident we will see high demand for the finished properties which will give us the ability to command strong sales figures. 

Why Invest in Hensol Grove?

Reflecting on the latest trends and predictions for the property market in South Wales, there are numerous persuasive arguments for considering an investment in the impressive Hensol Grove development. Nestled within the historic grounds of Hensol Castle the exclusive nature of the scheme so close to high end amenities frequented by the sporting elite of Welsh Rugby and Football, again gives confidence in achieving the higher end of our forecasted returns. 

Encouraging Market Trajectory: The Welsh property market has seen a strong start in 2024, with falling mortgage rates and increasing confidence among buyers and sellers. There's a steady increase in property values, sales, and availability, supported by rising salaries, declining mortgage rates, and a stable job market, boosting confidence in the market.

Strength and Growth in High-End Market: The high-end Welsh property market remains resilient with steady sales of properties over £1 million, indicating its enduring appeal. Projections, including those by Savills, suggest the market will outperform other UK regions in the next five years. The latest RICS survey shows growing demand and anticipated price rises, bolstered by a significant increase in new buyer interest, reaching its highest point since September 2021.

Favourable Conditions for New Developments: The property market in Wales continues to be conducive for new developments, despite some obstacles. Policies such as the extension of the Help to Buy Scheme in Wales until 31st March 2025, now with a raised price ceiling, offer developers in Wales a competitive edge over those in England. This supports the argument for investments in new ventures like Hensol Grove.

How to get started with Acorn Property Invest

Designed for investors who are looking for a potentially profitable investment opportunity and who meet the required qualifications, Hensol Grove could be the opportunity that matches those investment objectives. Please register here for more information.

YOUR CAPITAL IS AT RISK IF YOU INVEST 

Investment opportunities available via Acorn Property Invest are exclusively targeted at exempt investors who are experienced, knowledgeable and sophisticated enough to sufficiently understand the risks involved, and who are able to make their own decisions about the suitability of those investment opportunities. All investors should seek independent professional investment and tax advice before deciding to invest. Any historic performance of investment opportunities is NOT a guide or guarantee of future performance and any projections of future performance are not guaranteed. All investment opportunities available via Acorn Property Invest are NOT regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and you will NOT have access to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and may not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).