Last Updated on April 7, 2026
MURDER MYSTERY Mansion for Rent
When I travel for Restless Feet or sister online magazine, London Unattached, I am normally reviewing hotels or going on themed press trips. It was a first for me to be reviewing a rental property, but with the offer of a Murder Mystery dinner as part of the experience, how could I say no?
Ty Penbryn is a contemporary mansion built in 2000 with Georgian and Victorian styling on the footprint of a building from 1833. It had been the home of the well-known Welsh poet Sir Lewis Morris.
With the original building having fallen into disrepair, it was redeveloped by a couple called Martin and Glenda, who are now honoured by the suits of armour in the entrance hall that bear their name. In 2022, the property was bought by Hanna and Ben Ballard, who spent two years working on its renovation, doing much of the work and interior design themselves.
Ty Penbryn is now part of the Finest Retreats holiday property portfolio. The company is a full-service management agency and can take care of as much of your stay as you wish. The house is set in 1.8 acres of landscaped gardens with gorgeous vistas opening up over the Lower Towy Valley and features a wing with a fabulous indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, private cinema room, and games room. With the property accommodating up to 24 guests across nine bedrooms in the main house and two additional bedrooms in an accessibility-adapted ground-floor annex, it’s perfect for family parties, celebrations, a break with friends or corporate events.
The trip to Carmarthen took just under 4 hours from Paddington (with a change at Swansea), with the final stretch taking the scenic route past Carmarthen Bay. There was a short cab ride to the house, where we were met with a welcome glass of fizz, setting us up for our house tour with Hanna and Ben. Many of the interior features at Ty Penbryn are copied from the original house, with some being reclaimed from the property. The entrance hall has tiles that are replicas of the originals, as are the Welsh oak staircase and gallery. It’s also a disco wonderland with a jukebox, karaoke system, and disco ball! The fireplaces and much of the cornicing are taken from the first house, adding to the impression of a period property that has all the benefits of a modern house, such as heat pumps, underfloor heating and solar panels.
The ’Georgian Wing’ of Ty Penbryn features 5 boutique bedrooms, all decorated in owner Hanna’s distinctive style. The Kingfisher Suite has a fabulous antique Indian Superking bed, an antique French desk, a sofa, an en-suite with a shower and a walk-in wardrobe.
The Stripes Suite has a similar specification, with the Fountain View, Gold, and Japonaise-style Pearl Rooms all featuring King-size beds. The rooms at Ty Penbryn have bags of character with their design adding to the fun of staying at the property.
There are 4 other Victorian-style bedrooms on the first floor, all well-designed and furnished and named after the Brecon Beacons’ famous waterfalls. These rooms have a variety of configurations with twins, doubles and a triple, all en-suite with a shower over the bath. There is also a ground-floor Adapted Annex with a double room and a single room. They have a shower equipped with grab handles and a built-in seat, along with a living area with a sofa, TV, table and chairs; there is also a small kitchen with an air fryer, mini fridge-freezer, sink, microwave, toaster, and kettle.
The couple has opened up the house’s attic, creating a luxurious cinema room with 3 rows of tiered sofas. For workaholics, there is an Office Room with two screens and a workspace.
The Leisure Wing at Ty Penbryn is spectacular, with an indoor swimming pool (12m x 6m, 4ft deep, including a 4m x 1.5m beach step ideal for younger guests), heated loungers, a 4-person sauna and steam room, and a 6-person Jacuzzi. With a table tennis table on the top floor, there’s no excuse for not taking some exercise.
The main house ground floor features a ‘family-style kitchen’ with a dishwasher, coffee machine, microwave and single oven. There is a second, smaller kitchen and a lovely dining room seating up to 24 guests, hung with reproduction William Morris and Mucha tapestries.
The house offers a plethora of fun activities. The Games Room has poker, chess, and board games; the Music Room features a harp, ukulele, a small drum kit, a record player, and a piano.
The Billiard Room includes a pool table, retro games machines and a decorative fireplace.
Ty Penbryn is set in 1.8 acres of landscaped gardens with a multi-use games area and a pirate ship play area, perfect for the kids.
Finest Retreats offer full concierge services and can provide a full range of activities, including cocktail classes, wine tasting, silent disco, murder mystery evenings and in-house catering if cooking isn’t on your menu. We really enjoyed our murder mystery dinner from 7 pm, hosted by the award-winning Dying To Meet You Murder Mystery Company.
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Our merry group of sleuths were tasked with cross-examining the cast of characters as new revelations and entertainingly salacious details emerged. Led by founder Rebecca Tredeger, the cast managed to stay in character whilst improvising impressively as our questions grew wilder and more outlandish. I was furiously channelling my inner Hercule Poirot but ended up looking more like Inspector Clouseau. It was a lot of fun and was a great way to break the ice between a bunch of cynical travel hacks who bonded over the lead piping and a lot of wine in the dining room.
Our dinner and breakfast the next day were delivered by bespoke catering company Strawberry Shortcake. Run by charming couple Kirsty and Scott, they dished up an excellent steak dinner with a tasty aubergine vegan option. Scott has a very serious foodie CV that features names including Marco Pierre White, Nobu, Gordon Ramsay, Gary Rhodes and Jean Georges in New York, and this is reflected in the quality of the food.
The breakfast spread at Ty Penbryn was superb, with homemade breads, fabulous cheeses, meats, and smoked fish. My veggie special with grilled asparagus, vegan curd and a wonderful pesto was exceptional.
Ty Penbryn is a fabulous venue for a group stay. If you are looking for somewhere in South Wales that is atmospheric and fun for a wedding, party, family, or corporate event, you won’t be disappointed.
Ty Penbryn, Mount Pleasant, Carmarthen, SA31 1EQ
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