Belmont House

History & Restoration

Belmont House was first begun in 1796 during the Regency period in the reign of William the Third. It was built as a private residence and originally included extensive grounds that stretched from the back of the house all the way to the banks of the River Wye. In 1812, part of the land along the riverbank was sold for the construction of a horse drawn tramway running from Eardisley to Brecon. Much of the remaining land was later planted with apple trees, although over time these orchards were gradually sold off and eventually disappeared altogether.

During the 1850s the property took on a new life as a small Victorian boarding school for girls, followed in the 1880s by a short chapter as a boys boarding school with only three pupils. At the turn of the century the house returned to private ownership, and by the 1950s it had become a simple guest house. From the mid 1960s the property saw little restoration work and was used mainly by walkers and cyclists passing through Hay.

In 2020 Simon and Kazuko became custodians of Belmont House and began a careful five year restoration. Many of the original features had been removed, concealed or altered, and they set about bringing the house back to its late Georgian and early Victorian character. The oak floors have been repaired and restored, fireplaces uncovered, and decorative details revealed once more. As you walk up the staircase you can glimpse a section of Victorian wall painting that has been preserved as a reminder of the house’s long story. Chandeliers and mirrors now dress many of the rooms, and the original candle sconces have been reinstated in the guest lounge and dining room.

In keeping with Regency taste, the dining room has been created in a Chinoiserie style, shaped with Kazuko’s Japanese heritage in mind. It is here that guests can enjoy their breakfast and take in the atmosphere of a house that has been gently brought back to life.

A room under renovation with walls stripped and peeling paint, wooden floors, two aluminum ladders leaning against the wall, a table cluttered with tools and supplies, a door resting against the wall, and a partially visible fire place.
Close-up of a cracked and peeling wall or ceiling with old paint and decorative border.
Old torn advertising paper on wooden floor with images and text promoting sore throat relief and referencing Atlas Looshitch.
A construction site showing an open wall with exposed bricks and plumbing pipes, surrounded by debris and tools, indicating ongoing renovation work.
A woman wearing glasses, a gray knit hat, and a blue work jumpsuit, holding a paint roller, standing in a room under renovation with partially removed wallpaper and construction tools nearby.
A house undergoing exterior renovation with scaffolding in place. Two workers are painting the house's facade, which is partially painted gray. There is a sign on the fence that reads "Tastes from Japan." The street in front of the house has a flower
A man in a blue shirt with various logos and the name 'Geldards' on it is standing on a ladder, working on the ceiling of a room with green laser lines projected across the ceiling and wall, indicating precise measurement or layout.
Interior of a home under renovation with a patterned yellow wallpapered wall, a tall stepladder, a tripod, and renovation tools and supplies in the room.
A backyard under construction with a winding pathway, some sections of the ground prepared for paving or landscaping, a stone wall at the back, and a blue car parked above the wall. Wooden stakes mark areas of the yard.
Living room undergoing renovation with wall prepared for wallpaper, cluttered furniture, and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
A person painting a wall in a room undergoing renovation, with furniture covered and a large window showing an outdoor view.
Front door with a wooden porch and two pillars, maroon door with glass panels, and brass mail slot, in a light-colored brick building.
A man on a ladder installing or fixing a chandelier on the ceiling of a living room, with another person observing.
A backyard garden with newly laid sod grass, dirt patches, a raised brick platform, and a stone wall in the background, with laundry hanging on a clothesline.
A backyard garden area with a newly laid patch of green grass, a stone fire pit, laundry hanging on clotheslines, and a stone wall in the background. The sky is partly cloudy with patches of blue, and some wooden planks and a rectangle of plywood are
Construction workers are building a new outdoor patio or steps area at a house, with bricks and paving stones, and green bags of construction materials nearby.
Two workers repairing a stone or brick wall outside a house with a large window and door. Construction materials and tools are visible around them.
A construction site with a small excavator moving soil, a worker in the background, and a stone wall with nearby houses under an overcast sky.
View of a foyer with an arched doorway, wooden trim, a chandelier, and an entry door, during renovation or painting.
Interior of a house under renovation with partially painted or patched walls, wooden door frames, a staircase railing, a small heater, a step ladder, and some construction materials.
Old wooden staircase with a black handrail and some black clothing hanging on the railing, leading up to a second floor with a worn, green wall and an arched window letting in natural light.
Two workers are repairing a wooden floor in a room with yellow walls, one near the fireplace and the other near the door, using tools and equipment.
Entryway with a wooden staircase on the right, a door with frosted glass on the back wall, a chandelier on the ceiling, and a fire extinguisher on the left side.
Empty room with a window, blue curtains, a wall-mounted mirror, a small sink, and a ceiling light fixture.