In secret, a husband bought his wife a Welsh castle to fulfill her childhood dreams.
Jude Edgell was on a beach walk with husband Terry when he revealed he’d snapped up the fairytale castle for £775,000.
Only problem was the fact that it had fallen into desperate disrepair and was now a “bit of wreck” which required years of restoration.
They admit that the damage will not be worthwhile and describe it as a labor of love.
Terry (56 years old) made the announcement after telling Jude (58), he wanted to talk to him and that he didn’t want to be separated.
She said that she believed he was about to divorce, but he kept quiet and said, “It’s too much, they have accepted a bidding on the castle.”
“I was skeptical, but I looked on Rightmove. It said that it had been sold subject to contract.” I replied, “Is it us?” He said “Yes.”
The stunning castle was snapped up for £775,000 but the only snag was that it was a ‘bit of a wreck’ needing years of work
Terry Edgell, Jude Edgell’s husband, was out on a stroll when Terry made Jude’s childhood dream come true. He bought her a fairytale castle.
They were searching for a Spanish holiday home, but the couple decided to visit Penllyn Castle, 200 years old, near Cowbridge in Vale of Glamorgan out of curiosity.
Terry was a successful businessman who secretly placed a bid on the building. Then Terry made shocking news about the surprise amount he spent on the beach walk.
They admit the property is “a little bit of an wreck” and that it will take years to get it back to its former glory.
Penllyn Castle (or Norman Architecture Castle) is situated in Cowbridge. It can be found approximately four miles to the east of Bridgend.
Jude from Aberdare (South Wales) said, “I wasn’t cross. I was happy because it had always been my favorite, but I was scared too. It was going to change everything. It’s something I’ve known since childhood, and I have been to it many times.
She added: ‘I remember when I was about 25 riding by it and I thought: ‘Oh my god, I can’t believe people live in houses like that’
Terry was originally from Buckinghamshire. He works very hard at Premier Forest Group CEO. The majority of the project’s success is due to Jude.
Terry (56 years old) made the announcement after telling Jude (58), he was looking for serious conversation – she worried he might want to split.
A couple was looking to buy a vacation home in Spain, and they decided to look at Penllyn Castle 200-years-old near Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan.
Terry was a secret bidder for the property and made shock announcements about the surprise beach-walk spend.
Jude of Aberdare in South Wales said that he wasn’t angry. He was content because he loved the castle, but he was also very afraid. I knew this was going to make things better. Although I knew about it from a young age, I had never actually been inside it.
“I can remember riding past it when I was 25 and thinking: “Oh my God, how unbelievable that people live in such a bizarre house.”
“When I first walked into the drawing room, all my hairs were up at the back of the neck. I still feel that pull today, that connection.”
Terry originally hails from Buckinghamshire. He works very hard at Premier Forest Group as its CEO. Jude is responsible for the bulk of the project.
A team of specialists trade workers was formed by her, including an engineer, site manager, conservation specialist architect, archaeologist and heritage specialist, as well as an engineer.
Jude shared that he was overwhelmed and out of his depth by dealing with the large property, its problems, and the fact it is listed.
“It is very important that I know it has been done correctly, that it will be preserved for at least 100 or 200 years. It’s protecting it for the future.
After three years of work, the couple is looking forward to exciting improvements and hope to be able move in by 2024.
Pauline Collins played Queen Victoria and the episode of Dr Who that featured this old castle was filmed in 2006.
Jude discovered some frightening monsters and did not know that the castle contained a pool. It was covered with brambles.
Jude explained that there is an enclosed courtyard at the back of the house. Jude was able to get pre-planning approval for the glass roof.
The funny thing about finding the swimming pool is that they used to have one. It had been there for 20 years, but it was abandoned.
“We didn’t realize it existed until Max, our son, stepped into a corner. Fortunately in the shallow end. He fell three feet after the brambles collapsed.
Jude set up a team of specialist trade workers including a site manager, specialist conservation architect, archaeologist, heritage specialists and an engineer
Now, the project is in its third year. The couple look forward to making more home improvements and moving into their new house in 2024.
Pauline Collins, who played Queen Victoria in Dr Who’s 2006 episode featured the old castle as part of Dr Who’s 2006.
Jude discovered some frightening monsters and did not realize that the castle contained a pool. It was covered with brambles.
Built on the spot of an ancient Norman castle ruin, this house was constructed for Lady Barbara Vernon in 1790. She left it to Miss Emilia Gwinnett.
Jude said, “I love it that a women left it to another lady and we now have the woman in charge of putting them back together”.
According to the couple, there are still two years of work needed at Grade II-listed property
The historic crystal chandeliers and mirrors are being restored inside.
Jude said that the budget was a “rolling sum” and added, “It won’t be worth what’s cost me in my lifetime.” It’s about love and not value.
All of it, including the roof tiles, needs to be updated to make it acceptable.
Jude is embracing the project, while her husband was busy running his own wood and forestry business.
They hope the couple will finish the two-year project that has already seen the castle covered with scaffolding.
Over a thousand years ago, there was a settlement, castle and farmhouse on this historic spot above the River Thaw.
It dates back to 1100. Earl Robert of Gloucester was the Sheriff of Gloucester and Robert Norris built it. The Castle also had one the first Norman keep in Glamorgan.
The Norris heiress was married to the Turbervilles in late 14th-century, and remained there until 1702.
Penllyn began to be less a castle than a Tudor Manor House.
It was then sold, and it went through several inheritances before Miss Gwinnett (whose brother Button Gwinnett settled Maryland) became the sole signer of the Declaration of Independence. General MacIntosh was the other victim in the dual.
Jude stated, “I love that a man left the responsibility to another woman and we now have a woman who is responsible for putting it all back together.”
After a Paris Exhibition in 1861, several improvements were made and some alterations to the Drawing Room.
It was sold to Terry and Jude in 1962, after which it went to distant relatives.
According to the couple, there are still two more years to complete work on their Grade II-listed home. The couple plans to renovate the crystal chandeliers and mirrors that were once inside.
Jude stated that the budget is a rolling sum and said: “It’s not worth what it has cost us during our lifetime.” It is a labor of love.