Battle to save 18th century country house admired by Wordsworth and Coleridge that now lies in ruin

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

In the late 18th century, the well-heeled came in their droves to admire the views along the Wye Valley.
The lush countryside of Monmouthshire, in south-east Wales, proved an irresistible draw for such luminaries as poets William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Nelson and Lady Hamilton.
As they embarked upon their trek - possibly inspired by Rev William Gilpin's book Observations On The River Wye - they would have come across Piercefield House, a beautiful country retreat to the north of Chepstow.
Designed by British architect John Soane, it was commissioned in 1785 by Durham banker George Smith, and was heralded as a neoclassical masterpiece... but today, it lies in ruins.

Designed by British architect John Soane, Piercefield House was commissioned in 1785 by Durham banker George Smith, and was heralded as a neoclassical masterpiece... but today, it lies in ruins

The three-storey property is to the north of Chepstow in Monmouthshire, south-east Wales

In its heyday, the three-storey estate proudly overlooked 129 acres of parkland - enhanced by a series of picturesque walks laid out in the 1750s by Valentine Morris, the son of a sugar plantation owner from Antigua

In its heyday, the three-storey estate proudly overlooked 129 acres of parkland - enhanced by a series of picturesque walks laid out in the 1750s by Valentine Morris, the son of a sugar plantation owner from Antigua.
The latter purchased the property from Smith after he went bankrupt.

 

After passing through several owners - and serving as a base for U.S. troops to conduct D-Day Landings exercises in 1944 - it was bought by billionaire businessmen brothers David and Simon Reuben, albeit indirectly through a subsidiary company.
No one is quite sure why the brothers allowed the house to fall into disrepair.

The lush countryside of Monmouthshire proved an irresistible draw for such luminaries as poets William Wordsworth (left) and Samuel Taylor Coleridge (right)

Campaigners from Save Britain's Heritage are hoping to acquire a CPO (Compulsory Purchase Order) or possibly turn the house over to a trust

After passing through several owners - and serving as a base for U.S. troops to conduct D-Day Landings exercises in 1944 - Piercefield was bought by billionaire businessmen brothers David and Simon Reuben (both pictured), albeit indirectly through a subsidiary company

FROM BRICKLAYER'S SON TO ROYAL ACADEMY: JOHN SOANE

Sir John Soane (right) was the son of a bricklayer who rose to become professor of architecture at the Royal Academy.

He specialised in the neoclassical style of design and his architectural works are distinguished by their clean lines,  decisive detailing, careful proportions and skilful use of light.

The influence of his work, coming at the end of the Georgian era, was swamped by the revival styles of the 19th century. It was not until the late 19th century that his influence was widely felt.

His best-known work was the Bank of England, a building which had a widespread effect on commercial architecture.

He also designed Dulwich Picture Gallery, which, with its top-lit galleries, was a major influence on the planning of subsequent art galleries and museums.

His main legacy is Sir John Soane's Museum, in Lincoln's Inn Fields, London.

He received a knighthood in 1831, six years before his death at the age of 84. 

London-based art dealer Edward Strachan attempted to buy Piercefield when it was put up for sale two years ago, offering £1million.
The offer was rejected - and adding £300,000 to his bid made no difference. The Reubens declined to comment on the matter.
Now, the house is firmly on the radar of a conservation group which is determined to save the Grade II*-listed building from further decay.
Campaigners from Save Britain's Heritage are hoping to acquire a CPO (Compulsory Purchase Order) or possibly turn the house over to a trust.
Marcus Binney, co-founder and president of Save told the Daily Telegraph: 'Edward's was a handsome offer. Piercefield really is an important house.
'It's a fine early work by Soane wrapped around an older Baroque house that might have been by William Talman [Sir Christopher Wren's assistant], and there's evidence the house has Tudor or even earlier origins.
'It's also hugely important in terms of the Romantic movement and, because of its location, it's truly a gateway to Wales.'
SInce Piercefield is listed as a ruin, Cadw, the Welsh government's historic environment service, is unable to serve an order for repairs on the owners.
However, hope remains if other Soane house are anything to go by: Tyringham Hall in Buckinghamshire and Pell Well in Shropshire are among those that have recently been saved.
Among the Reubens' companies is Arena Racing. Its portfolio includes Chepstow racecourse, whose track is on land that was once part of the Piercefield estate.
A source close to the Chepstow Racecourse Ltd told the Telegraph that no realistic offer has been made for the house: 'Over the past two years, the only people who've expressed an interest are conservationists.
'If anyone wants to make a serious offer, they're welcome to contact the company direct.'

Marcus Binney, of Save Britain's Heritage, said: 'It's a fine early work by Soane wrapped around an older Baroque house that might have been by William Talman [Sir Christopher Wren's assistant], and there's evidence the house has Tudor or even earlier origins'

SInce Piercefield is listed as a ruin, Cadw, the Welsh government's historic environment service, is unable to serve an order for repairs on the owners

London-based art dealer Edward Strachan attempted to buy Piercefield when it was put up for sale two years ago, offering £1million - but his offer was rejected