We (Eryn and Colleen) recently spent the day at Llangollen in Upperville, Virginia - which is currently listed for sale by our brokerage, Hunt Country Sotheby's International Real Estate. This historic estate is 1100 acres and is comprised of the iconic and beautiful circa 1795 Mansion. The residence is unique in that the rear of the mansion mirrors almost identically the front of the mansion - a wonderfully unusual architectural symmetry. The photos of us here were both taken in the rear of the home (and yes, we always have fun together and love what we do!)
The listing agent is our wonderful colleague, Peter Leonard Morgan - Peter and Llangollen were recently featured on Fox Business Mansion Global - and on Circa Houses with Carson Kressley ...we think Peter could be the next Robin Leach! Click here to see the videos: Llangollen video featured on Fox News Mansion Global
Llangollen video featuring Carson Kressley
There are so many amazing features and facts about this property - and its most famous owner this century was the legendary horse woman, socialite, and local character - Liz Whitney Tippett - pictured below as a young socialite and fiancee of Jock Whitney - a prominent Ambassador and businessman. Llangollen was a wedding gift from Jock to Liz for their 1930 marriage. The Whitneys divorced in 1940 and Liz kept Llangollen - turning it into a world class Thoroughbred breeding operation. She resided there for almost 50 years, until her death in 1988.
Liz was eccentric and a beloved part of the Loudoun County Hunt set and a member of the Upperville Horse and Colt show for many years. The parties she hosted at Llangollen are legendary - we were told by an acquaintance that frequented Liz's parties, that when Liz wanted the party to end and her guests to leave, she would release her pet Bear to wander throughout the interior of the mansion! Always a free spirit, in a 2001 book titled Middleburg Mystique, author Vicky Moon recounted how Liz would bring her horses into the mansion's great room at the wild hunt balls she hosted. Moon's book also says that she kept thirty five dogs as pets with her most beloved ones stored in her deep freezer after they died. Middleburg Mystique by Vicky Moon
Interestingly, there is a 22 acre cutout of the estate that Liz traded to her Veterinarian in exchange for a lifetime of of vet services. Apparently, she was struggling financially but her pets and animals took priority over keeping her estate intact!
Ok - back to the house - our favorite feature is the magnificent walnut floors and staircase - the floors were milled from walnut trees on the property and are truly magnificent. Another favorite feature of ours is the wood paneling in the study which was made from the pine cases used to ship the Whitney's antiques from Europe, See all of the interior photos here: Interior and Exterior Photos of Llangollen Estate
The 24 stall horseshoe shaped stables, the pub in the basement, the 17 fireplaces, 9 bedrooms - there is so much to Llangollen and we enjoyed seeing it all! The only feature we missed was the under ground squash court - currently our of operation - maybe on our next visit?
In addition to Eryn and Colleen, (ha-ha) LLangollen has hosted many prominent persons - including the Marquis de Lafayette, Thomas Jefferson, John Singleton Mosby, Bing Crosby, and Prince Aly Khan just to name a few - if only the Llangollen walls could talk!
The current owners - Mr and Mrs Brennan have spared no expense in restoring this magnificent treasure - it is truly the most well-cared for home we ever stepped inside. Currently listed for sale $27,500,000 - making it the most expensive residential property on the market in Loudoun County. Before the Brennan's purchased the property in 2007 the rumored buyers were Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes - which garnered international media attention. "TomKat" did not last long and apparently neither did their interest in Llangollen - they never ended up closing on the property - but it sure made for fun Hunt Country Real Estate gossip at the time!
There's so much to share about Llangollen - please reach out to us for more information - we would love to tell you more! And of course, if you are in the market for such a place -we'd love to show you around! Contact Eryn and Colleen here
