VISITORS to a Towy Valley landmark will be able to get a unique insight into its history in September.

Aberglasney Gardens in Llangathen will be offering guided tours of the unrestored upper floors of the Grade II listed mansion.

The house has a rich history that dates back to the medieval times and was once one of the most important houses in the county of Carmarthenshire. 

Visitors to Aberglasney have been able to visit the restored ground floor of the mansion daily since 2013 - the restoration was opened by actor Damian Lewis - but the upper floors have been off limits.

This is set to change as during September, tours of the unrestored upper floors will be held twice a week.

The mansion house has been the home of a number of characters in the last 500 years including poets and artists who used it as inspiration, a bishop, a high sheriff, architects, solicitors, drinkers and those who fiercely abstained.

Unfortunately the mansion had been in decline for decades after being uninhabited for so long and was neglected and vandalised. But after some careful restoration, the ground floor had been returned to the grandeur of its heyday.

Jim Stribling, Aberglasney’s director of operations, said: “Following on from our successful history tours during August we are now pleased to be able to offer visitors to Aberglasney another, different kind of experience, during September with this opportunity to view the upper floors of the mansion house, which are very rarely open to the public.

"These tours are a chance to learn all about the colourful history of the house.”

The guided tours of the upper floor are part of CADW’s open doors event through the month of September.

There is no disabled access to Aberglasney’s upper floors and there are several staircases to climb. Special care will also need to be taken by those on the tour as the areas are unrestored.

Entry to the gardens is charged as normal, but the guided tours - which begin at 2pm every Tuesday and Friday in September - are free.

Each tour is limited to 12 people and pre-booking is essential.

Pre-booking can be done by visiting www.aberglasney.org/charity/ticketshop/open-doors-free-ticket or by calling 01558 668998.