## Glamorous Couple ‘Marooned’ in £1.2m Historic Mansion as Retirement Hopes Fade Amid Canal Fears
A Welsh couple’s dream of a peaceful retirement in a grand country mansion has turned into a distressing saga of stress and uncertainty, despite their home’s current value of £1.2 million. Charles and Patricia Lester, an octogenarian husband-and-wife fashion design team whose creations have adorned global icons from Barbra Streisand to Adele, find themselves effectively “trapped” in their sprawling, 20-bedroom Llanfoist House—unable to sell the property due to persistent risks from the nearby canal.
The Lesters acquired their Grade II listed country house in 1971 for just £9,000. Initially, the future looked bright: Llanfoist House, which dates to around 1690 and is steeped in industrial heritage, promised both an inspiring backdrop for their creative studio and a future nest egg. Over five decades, the couple poured their talents and energy into transforming it into a home and workplace of distinction. Yet, behind the scenes, a story of repeated misfortune was emerging, driven by environmental hazards outside their control.
Their troubles stem from the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. Running roughly 70 feet above the estate on a steep embankment, the canal has suffered leaks and triggered landslides several times—once almost fatally so. The most notable incidents occurred in 1975 and again in 2014, causing significant distress to the couple and rendering their stately home almost impossible to sell.
Charles Lester detailed how the 1975 landslide nearly cost them their lives. “We heard a noise and came out to see jets of water blasting from the bank,” he recalled. “Thousands of tonnes of water, rocks, and trees came hurtling towards us. If not for the roots of fallen trees forming an impromptu dam, we could have been swept away.” Since then, he says, frequent leaks and alarming cracks in the embankment have marred their enjoyment and ownership, haunting them night after night.
Their attempts to sell the property have repeatedly failed. Even when accepting an offer of £850,000—well below the house’s assessed worth—the deal collapsed due to safety concerns. “We’ve been living in limbo for decades and feel completely stuck,” explained Patricia Lester. The house, once home to notable figures such as Crawshay Bailey, the ironmaster and MP, has grown too much for them to manage in their later years. “Sleepless nights and stress have taken their toll,” Patricia admitted, describing the ongoing impact on both her and her husband’s health.
Central to the couple’s grievance is their long-running dispute with the Canal and River Trust (CRT), responsible since 2012 for maintaining the waterway. The Lesters allege decades of neglect, pointing to faulty safety gates and what they describe as ill-advised concrete reinforcements following the dredging of the canal in the twentieth century. Despite years of complaints and even efforts to take legal action—with mounting costs forcing them to withdraw—the couple claims their concerns have not received adequate attention.
The CRT, however, maintains it is committed to the ongoing upkeep of the historic canal, which remains a popular attraction in the region. In a statement, a spokesperson highlighted their continued work to keep the canal open and safe for both the public and local wildlife, including regular monitoring and repairs along the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal.
Beyond the property woes, the Lesters’ legacy in British couture is substantial. For over half a century, they have designed and hand-painted garments and interior fabrics that now reside in museum collections worldwide, from London’s V&A to the Houston Museum of Fine Arts. In 2015, their contribution to British arts was recognised by a visit from King Charles and Queen Camilla to their studio.
Yet beneath the glittering surface of their creative accomplishments lies a sombre reality. “Every night, I worry what would happen if the canal failed again,” Patricia said. “It’s a nightmare—emotionally draining and financially devastating. You never know if you’ll end up bankrupt or worse.”
Their ordeal has drawn attention to the challenges that can confront heritage homeowners, particularly when external risks are at play. For the Lesters, the juxtaposition is stark: an internationally-renowned career contrasted with a domestic situation marked by anxiety, dashed dreams, and a constant search for resolution.
As they continue their struggle for closure and peace of mind, the story of Charles and Patricia Lester highlights both the rewards and the unforeseen burdens that can come with stewarding a piece of history—and how even the grandest homes can, under certain shadows, become gilded cages.