Lower_Dyffryn_House,_Grosmont

Lower Dyffryn House, Grosmont

Lower Dyffryn House, Grosmont

House in Grosmont Monmouthshire

Lower Dyffryn House, Grosmont, Monmouthshire is a farmhouse dating from the 16th century. Owned by a Sheriff of Monmouthshire in the early 1600s, it was rebuilt by the Cecil family in the mid 17th century as a substantial mansion to the typical Elizabethan e-plan. Its fortunes declined in the 19th century by which point it had been reduced to a farmhouse and much of its external and internal fittings were removed or replaced. The farmhouse is Grade II* listed and a number of the ancillary buildings have their own Grade II listings. The gardens, which are contemporaneous with the house, are included on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.

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History and description

The farmhouse was constructed in the very late 16th century, Cadw recording that the owner was probably John Gainsford, who served as Sheriff in 1604.[2] The oldest part of the building appears to date from 1590-1630.[2] In the later 17th century, the house was extended as an E-plan mansion, by a cadet branch of the Cecils.[1] The house was restored in the 19th century, although by this date its status had declined to that of a farmhouse.[1] In the very early 20th century its wood panelling was removed to the nearby mansion, Hilston Park.[2]

The architectural historian John Newman describes Lower Dyffryn as an "extraordinarily remote (and) melancholy" house.[1] It is constructed of Old Red Sandstone rubble,[2] of two storeys, with a two-storey porch. Newman also records details remaining of the 17th century setting, including a gazebo set in the wall of an enclosed garden.[1]

The farmhouse remains in private ownership and is a Grade II* listed building.[2] The garden walls have their own Grade II listing,[3] as do the granary,[4] the "quite grand" haybarn,[5] and the shelter shed.[6] The gardens themselves are listed at Grade II on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.[7]

Notes

  1. [1]
    Newman 2000, pp. 244–245.
  2. [2]
    Cadw. "Lower Dyffryn House (Grade II*) (1950)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  3. [3]
    Cadw. "Walls to Terraced Garden at Lower Dyffryn (Grade II) (24154)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  4. [4]
    Cadw. "Granary and Cider House at Lower Dyffryn (Grade II) (24151)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  5. [5]
    Cadw. "Hay Barn, attached Corn Barns, and Pigsty at Lower Dyffryn (Grade II) (24152)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  6. [6]
    Cadw. "Shelter Shed at Lower Dyffryn (Grade II) (24153)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  7. [7]
    Cadw. "Lower Dyffryn (PGW(Gt)24(MON))". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 February 2023.

References
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