We all share a 15-acre Georgian mansion for the price of a two-bed house

Usually, the aspiration of residing in a Georgian manor house surrounded by 15 acres of land would suggest a substantial lottery triumph.

However, for the occupants of Dol-llys Hall, situated on the edge of Llanidloes in Powys, such a financial windfall was entirely unnecessary.

This Grade II listed property serves as home to a diverse group of individuals who have opted for a cooperative lifestyle, collectively managing its upkeep and grounds, while striving for maximum sustainability.

Louise Robinson, who is one of the ten current residents and has lived at the hall for a significant period, explained that the arrangement fosters a natural sense of community where individuals readily support one another.

She added that the presence of six other apartments means there's always a collective inquiry of 'what can we do?', which she finds very meaningful.

The hall, which has historically functioned as a stately home, a school, and a care facility, now comprises seven individual flats within its structure, alongside various shared communal spaces and amenities such as washing machines and heating.

Louise first discovered Dol-llys after her redundancy from an insurance position in London, when she found herself spending increasing amounts of time outside the city, enjoying rural walks, and realizing her desire for a permanent country residence.

She mentioned that as a single person, relocating to a rural village independently presented considerable challenges.

Someone then suggested intentional communities to her and asked if she had heard about them.

After investigating several options, she decided against places where only a bedroom was private and everything else was shared; at Dol-llys, where she moved in early 2020, she discovered an ideal balance of shared living and personal space.

She clarified that they describe their living arrangement as co-housing because each resident has their own private apartment, distinguishing it from a commune.

She further explained that while they share the outdoor areas, common rooms, responsibilities, and decision-making, everyone maintains their own front door, which she believes is crucial for all who choose to live there.

When Ken O'Brien and Susan Lancaster, both aged 70, sought a fresh start in their retirement, one key factor drawing them to Dol-llys, beyond its architectural appeal and expansive grounds, was its proven track record of successful communal living.

The community was established in 1991, and when Louise initially moved in, one of its founding members had already resided there for nearly three decades.

Ken, who had previously lived in a religious community during his youth, reflected on their search for cooperative living, noting that they encountered new communities, some with high resident turnover, and others with very specific guiding principles, which Dol-llys lacked.

He observed that the community appeared established, professional, and well-organized, conveying stability and effective management.

Susan confirmed that the property itself was also in excellent condition, and they moved into Dol-llys a few months after Louise.

Ken also stated that their shared interests allow for collective activities, but beyond that, the communal endeavor of maintaining the house and grounds, including projects like growing produce, contributes to their sense of increased resilience.