Have you ever bought something on an impulse? Well it likely comes nowhere near the unplanned purchase BBC's Homes Under The Hammer presenter Martin Roberts made three years ago that he estimates will cost him around £500,000.

The moment of impulse ended up with Martin becoming the new owner of The Hendrewen hotel and pub in Blaencwm, at the top of the Rhondda Fawr valley. He didn't tell his wife Kirsty at the time, so she couldn't talk him out of it, he just came home with the keys, and so began the renovation journey to transform the empty building back into a thriving community hub.

In a recent Instagram post Martin wrote: "I'm often described as impulsive, so it seems only natural that I thought the next big adventure for me should be to buy a run down pub nestled in the Welsh Valley, that has been neglected for the past 3 years - introducing the Hendrewen Hotel - what could possibly go wrong? Plenty and I'm looking forward to sharing it with you all!" For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the newsletter here

READ MORE: I stayed at BBC Homes Under The Hammer presenter Martin Roberts' haunted Welsh farmhouse and it was epic

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Martin outside his impulse pub purchase his family think was mad
Martin outside his impulse pub purchase his family think was mad

Martin told WalesOnline: "I won't lie, it's the most challenging project I've ever undertaken, it's the most daunting project I've ever undertaken but it's one that I feel I've been given as a bit of a gift and I've got to make the most of it."

The property purchase might feel like a story from Homes Under The Hammer but there's a switch in roles for Martin, from presenter to renovator, so, of course, we asked him the classic phrase from the show, ‘what’s the budget and how long is it going to take?’”

Amused by the question, Martin was happy to admit the budget has "gone out of the window", adding: "To cut a long story short we were supposed to be open by Christmas 2023 but we are looking to open now in the summer of 2024."

'Ooops Kirsty, I think I just bought a Welsh pub!'
'Ooops Kirsty, I think I just bought a Welsh pub!'
Martin behind the bar before the pub was taken 'back to brick' for the renovation to begin
Martin behind the bar before the pub was taken 'back to brick' for the renovation to begin

Although this property purchase might sound random there is actually a solid reason for Martin's pub purchase. He sees the building and the site as being a vital piece of the future regeneration of the area as a tourist destination.

Filming for Homes Under The Hammer in Wales led Martin to fall in love with our country and that in turn led him to be invited to be the patron of Rhondda Tunnel Society. He is now working with the group to progress the reopening of the tunnel, with the Hendrewen holding a core role as a hotel, restaurant and live event space, with bedrooms and a tourist information hub. Find out more about what Martin is planning at the Hendrewen here.

It's a a total rip out job - of the pub's interior but maybe of the hair too
It's a a total rip out job - of the pub's interior but maybe of the hair too

The tunnel project is gathering momentum, with the most exciting step yet announced at a charity gala event Martin organised in aid of the project - the society has purchased the land at the mouth of the tunnel to create better access. Find out more about that here.

But at the moment, Martin's renovation time in Wales is most focused on the renovation of The Hendrewen. In a recently released video to complement his Instagram post Martin teases how the work at the pub is progressing, and what his family really think about his random and truly surprising purchase.

Martin says this is the view that visitors to The Hendrewen will enjoy once the renovation is complete
Martin says this is the view that visitors to The Hendrewen will enjoy once the renovation is complete
Martin is patron of the Rhondda Tunnel and the Hendrewen is part of the overall vision for the regeneration of the area with the tunnel at the core
Martin is patron of the Rhondda Tunnel and the Hendrewen is part of the overall vision for the regeneration of the area with the tunnel at the core

Martin says: "I'm Martin Roberts, and I bought a pub in the Welsh valleys, it's that one there, and it's currently in a bit of a state. The Hendrewen Hotel, abandoned three years ago, it's seen better days."

Martin's son Scott says: "He's mental, I think he's gone completely mad" while wife Kirsty is feeling anxious about the renovation project itself, commenting: "Honestly, just head is spinning right now in terms of how we turn this around."

Martin at his beautifully renovated Welsh farmhouse Tynewydd
Martin at his beautifully renovated Welsh farmhouse Tynewydd

It's not the first Welsh renovation project that the couple have tackled though, and if the Hendrewen hotel and pub turns out to be as good as the transformation of Tynewydd Farmhouse, also in the Rhondda Fawr Valley, then the Blaencwm property is going to look amazing. See inside Martin's farmhouse and find out what it was like staying at Martin's haunted farmhouse here.

For more wonderful property stories, renovation stories and interior inspiration, join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here.

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