A CHANCE to buy a piece of Mid Wales fashion history is being offered at Cwmdauddwr, Rhayader.

The former home of the textile innovator Laura Ashley and her family at Rhydoldog is being marketed for sale by estate agents McCartneys, for offers in excess of £1.8 million.

The impressive Victorian gentlemen’s residence, which dates back to the 15th century, is set in 49.5 acres and has seven bedrooms.

The house was bought in 1973 as a countryside retreat for Laura Ashley and her husband Sir Bernard, who had established a fledgling fashion design business at nearby Carno, before it became known worldwide.

From high level company board meetings to lavish parties, the historic mansion was also often used as a backdrop for some of their most iconic fashion shoots.

The setting is also credited with inspiring Laura Ashley’s famous floral prints.

The family put it on the market in autumn 2009 following the death of Sir Barnard, aged 82. Laura died in 1985 after an accidental fall at her daughter’s home in the Cotswolds.

In the Arts and Crafts style, the property is part way through a complete renovation and is complemented by lawned landscaped gardens and an extensive range of farm buildings.

There are also 33 acres of mature woodland with dramatic rock outcrops and waterfalls, as well as a 13 acre pasture paddock.

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The property includes four main reception rooms, six bedrooms suites and a second floor one bedroom apartment.

Believed to have originally been established in the form of a traditional Welsh longhouse, Rhydoldog possibly dates back to the 15th Century as part of the manor of the Grange of Cwmdauddwr, following the dissolution of the Cistercian Monks at the Abbey at Strata Florida. Records show, between 1662 and 1761, local farming families passing ownership of the property through marriage, and it is in this latter period - financed from family wealth achieved in London through tailoring - it is assumed the rebuilding into a gentleman’s country residence, and planting of the wonderful oaks took place.

From 1761 - 1961 Rhydoldog passed from a family of bankers, Deputy Lieutenant and High Sheriff to high ranking military officers who farmed as gentlemen, making improvements and enlargement in the 1870s. In 1961 the property was sold to an industrialist from Leicester and in 1973 Rhydoldog was purchased by Laura and Bernard Ashley.

Since its sale by the Ashley family in 2009 Rhydolodog has undergone extensive renovation by the current vendors.