HOLIDAYMAKERS in Monmouthshire are enjoying the novelty of staying in a windmill, after the completion of its three-year restoration.

Llancayo windmill was built in 1813 by soldier-turned-farmer Edward Berry. The five-storey building worked for around 25 years before being ravaged by fire.

The grade II listed building near Usk then stood untended until local property developer Peter Morgan started work on restoring it in July 2006.

Mr Morgan, 46, described the 60ft windmill as “the most striking landmark on the road between Usk and Abergavenny” and spent £400,000 on work. He bought the windmill as part of 200 acres of land 10 years ago but it took Mr Morgan seven years to gain planning permission.

Now it serves as a six-bedroom holiday let, with spacious lounge, TV room, a dining area and a balcony overlooking the Monmouthshire countryside. It sleeps 12 people and is available for between £1,200 for three nights and £4,000 for a week in peak season.

Most of the windmill’s original stonework was in good condition so refurbishment work focused on new floorboards and partitions, new oak windows and a new cap on the tower.

The final item to be fitted was the 60ft steel sail. It turns on windy days, but Mr Morgan plans to power it through a generator.

Mr Morgan has been developing properties for the past 10 years. He and his wife Helen, 43, have also bought Pencoed Castle in Magor and will be converting it into offices and holiday homes.