Rhosygilwen
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| Rhosygilwen | |
|---|---|
Rhosygilwen | |
  Rhosygilwen within Wales. | |
| General information | |
| Location | Rhoshill, Pembrokeshire, Cilgerran, Wales |
| Renovated | 1830 |
| Owner | Dr Glen Peters |
| Technical details | |
| Grounds | 50 acres |
| Design and construction | |
| Known for | Cultural events, solar power |
Rhosygilwen is an estate and former mansion in Rhoshill, Pembrokeshire in the community and parish of Cilgerran, South-west Wales. It is a centre for culture, retreat, celebration, eco-housing planning and renewable energy. The owner and CEO is Dr Glen Peters MBE.
Rhosygilwen was owned by the Jones family until 1697, when it passed to the Colby family who owned it until the 20th century; Thomas Frederick Colby was raised there. His father Thomas Colby was High Sheriff of Pembrokeshire in 1771. The house was rebuilt in the 1830s, and again towards the end of the century. In 1985, the upper floors suffered a fire, but the original oak central staircase remains.[1]
The present owner, engineer and novelist Dr Glen Peters,[2] acquired the property in 1994 after the house had suffered a serious fire and was about to be demolished. A solar farm, the first of its kind in Wales, was established in 2011.[3]
In 2024, in order to stabilise the electricity needed to run the estate, a turbine planning application was backed by the planning committee.[3] The erection was completed in 2025.
Cultural venue
The estate of Rhosygilwen, covering 50 acres (20 ha), is a cultural venue, retreat and events centre. The main house,[1] coach house[4] and gated entrance[5] are listed buildings. Neuadd y Dderwen (The Oak Hall) is a carbon neutral 250-seat building that has attracted such performers as Catrin Finch, Shân Cothi and Maddy Prior.[6] In June 2023, BBC Radio's Any questions? was broadcast from Rhosygilwen.[7]
Menter Rhosygilwen
Menter Rhosygilwen is a limited company whose purpose is "Support activities to performing arts", and has four directors, including Glen Peters.[8] A music bursary was launched in 2024,[9] which was increased in 2025 owing to the high standards.[10][11]
Pembrokeshire Book Festival
Rhosygilwen hosts the annual Penfro Book Festival.[12]