Vaendre Hall (or Faendre Hall) is a large detached house in the Cardiff suburb of St Mellons. Set in of grounds, it is bordered on three sides by St Mellons golf course. It was developed by the shipowner and industrialist

John Cory John Cory (18 March 1828 – 27 January 1910) was a British philanthropist, coal-owner and ship-owner. Cory Way is named after him in the eastern area of Barry Docks, which he was involved with building in the 1880s. Family John Cory was born ...

in the mid 19th century in the Jacobethan style after

William Burn William Burn (20 December 1789 – 15 February 1870) was a Scottish architect. He received major commissions from the age of 20 until his death at 81. He built in many styles and was a pioneer of the Scottish Baronial Revival,often referred ...

from a farm and renamed Faendre Hall. It was completed in 1850. Cory hosted the politicians

Henry Labouchère Henry Du Pré Labouchère (9 November 1831 – 15 January 1912) was an English politician, writer, publisher and theatre owner in the Victorian era, Victorian and Edwardian eras. He is now most remembered for the Labouchere Amendment, Labouchè ...

and

George Robinson, 1st Marquess of Ripon George Frederick Samuel Robinson, 1st Marquess of Ripon, (24 October 1827 – 9 July 1909), styled Viscount Goderich from 1833 to 1859 and known as the Earl of Ripon in 1859 and as the Earl de Grey and Ripon from 1859 to 1871, was a British p ...

, the former

Viceroy of India The Governor-General of India (1773–1950, from 1858 to 1947 the Viceroy and Governor-General of India, commonly shortened to Viceroy of India) was the representative of the monarch of the United Kingdom and after Indian independence in 19 ...

, on their visits to Cardiff and Newport in 1887 and 1888 respectively. It was subsequently owned by sportsman and brewer William Brain (of

Brains Brewery Brains (S. A. Brain & Company Ltd.) is a regional brewery based in Cardiff, Wales. It was founded in 1882 by Samuel Arthur Brain. The company controls more than 250 pubs in South Wales (particularly in Cardiff), Mid Wales and the West Country. ...

), and

Liberal Party The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left. __TOC__ Active liberal parties This is a li ...

politician

Richard Mathias Sir Richard Mathias, 1st Baronet (1 June 1863 – 26 October 1942) was a Liberal Party politician in the United Kingdom. He was elected at the December 1910 general election as Member of Parliament (MP) for Cheltenham, but was subsequently uns ...

, who was appointed a

baronet A baronet ( or ; abbreviated Bart or Bt) or the female equivalent, a baronetess (, , or ; abbreviation Btss), is the holder of a baronetcy, a hereditary title awarded by the British Crown. The title of baronet is mentioned as early as the 14t ...

of Vaendre Hall in June 1917.London Gazette, issue 30224 published on 10 August 1917. Page 10 of 48 The house has a separate stable and entrance

lodge Lodge is originally a term for a relatively small building, often associated with a larger one. Lodge or The Lodge may refer to: Buildings and structures Specific * The Lodge (Australia), the official Canberra residence of the Prime Ministe ...

RCAHMW The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW; cy, Comisiwn Brenhinol Henebion Cymru; ), established in 1908, is a Welsh Government sponsored body concerned with some aspects of the archaeological, architectura ...

: Coflein database

: Coflein database The hall and its 18 acres of land were sold for £7,000 at an auction in July 1893 to Dr. Hughes (). The farm adjoining the hall with two paddocks of land, a three stalled stable, wagon house, granary, two cattle sheds, poultry house, and a four roomed cottage was sold at the same sale for £1,150 to Mr. Richard Davies (). Vaendre Hall was put on sale in 2013 and 2018 for £2 million; it was subsequently reduced in 2020 to £1.65 million. It was listed as having seven bedrooms and five reception rooms with a billiard hall. Scenes from the 2014 ''Doctor Who'' Christmas special, ''

Last Christmas "Last Christmas" is a song by British pop duo Wham!, originally released in December 1984 on CBS Records International, CBS Records internationally and as a double A-side and B-side, A-side on Epic Records with "Everything She Wants" in the UK ...

'', starring

Peter Capaldi Peter Dougan Capaldi (; born 14 April 1958) is a Scottish actor, director, writer and musician. He portrayed the twelfth incarnation of the Doctor in ''Doctor Who'' (2013–2017) and Malcolm Tucker in '' The Thick of It'' (2005–2012), for ...

and

Jenna Coleman Jenna-Louise Coleman (born 27 April 1986), known professionally as Jenna Coleman, is an English actress. She is known for her roles as Jasmine Thomas in the soap opera ''Emmerdale'', Clara Oswald in the science-fiction series ''Doctor Who'', Q ...

, were filmed at the house. The house has been listed Grade II since June 1977. In addition to the main hall the lodge and entrance gateway, the former stable block, and a circular garden seat in the grounds are all separately listed Grade II.

: Coflein database

References

External links

Sales particulars for Vaendre Hall
{{coord, 51.5325, -3.0911, type:landmark_region:GB, display=title Grade II listed buildings in Cardiff Grade II listed houses in Wales Houses completed in 1850 Jacobethan architecture