Newton House, Llandeilo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Newton House |
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| Plas Dinefwr | |
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| Type | House |
| Location | Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire |
| Built | 1660 |
| Rebuilt | 1850 |
| Architectural style(s) | Victorian gothic |
| Owner | National Trust, Davies Family |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Official name: Plas Dinefwr | |
| Designated | 1966 |
| Reference no. | 11098 |
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Newton House is an old country house located near Llandeilo in Carmarthenshire, Wales. It's a special building, listed as Grade II*, meaning it's very important historically. The National Trust helps look after part of it.
Newton House sits inside Dinefwr Park, close to Dinefwr Castle. The park and gardens are also famous for their history and beauty. People have lived on this spot for at least 2,000 years!
The house you see today was built in 1660. It was later changed a lot in the 1850s, giving it a grand, castle-like look. Newton House even played a small part in the Rebecca Riots in 1843. Today, it has been restored and is open for visitors to explore.
Contents
Discovering Newton House's Past
The land around Newton House, called Dinefwr Park, has a very long history. People lived here over 2,000 years ago! In 1976, a stone axe from the Stone Age was found here. During the Iron Age, there was a farm on this land.
Later, the Romans built two forts here. You can still find traces of their roads. Roman coins and pottery have also been discovered near Dinefwr Castle.
From Castle to Country House
In the 1100s, Lord Rhys, a Prince of Wales, built Dinefwr Castle. Years later, in 1531, Henry VIII took control of the castle and its lands. The family who owned the estate, who later changed their name to Rice, had to buy their property back from the King.
The Rice family became very important. They were given the title of Baron Dynevor. Over time, they slowly got all their lands back.
Changes and Challenges at Newton House
Newton House was first built in the Middle Ages, not too far from the castle. It was changed in 1595 and again in 1603. The main house we see today was finished in 1660 by Edward Rice.
In the late 1700s, George Rice and his wife Cecil started to create a beautiful garden. They hired a famous architect, Capability Brown, in 1775 to help design it. Between 1760 and 1780, towers and battlements were added to the house. This made it look more like a romantic castle.
During the Rebecca Riots in 1843, something strange happened. Colonel George Rice, who lived in the house, found an empty grave dug in his garden. It was a warning that he would be buried there by October 10th!
A New Chapter for Newton House
After 1956, Newton House faced some tough times. Two owners died within a few years. Much of the estate had to be sold to pay taxes. In 1974, the house was sold again. It then fell into disrepair. Squatters and thieves even broke in, taking beams and furniture.
Luckily, both Newton House and Dinefwr Castle have been saved. Cadw restored the castle, and the National Trust restored Newton House. The National Trust bought the deer park in 1987 and Newton House three years later.
Exploring Newton House's Design
Edward Rice ordered the building of a Jacobean style house in 1659. It was finished the next year. Towers and battlements were added between 1760 and 1780.
Around 1856, the house got a big makeover. It was changed to the Venetian Gothic style. This gave it the grand, Victorian look you see today. Stone cladding and four impressive towers were added. The National Trust says that most of the grand building we see now dates from the 1850s.
Newton House is a three-storey building made of grey stone. It has a tall tower at each corner. The roofs are made of sloping slate. The front of the house has a grand central porch.
Inside, some of the ceilings from the late 1600s are very special. They have detailed designs with thick moulded beams and cherubs' heads. The entrance hall has a screen with columns. The old dining room has a ceiling with patterns like braided ribbons and leaves.
The drawing room also has a richly decorated ceiling with floral designs. The 17th-century staircase has thick balusters and detailed plasterwork. In 1896, a billiard room was added. A strongroom with thick walls was built in 1914 to keep important documents safe.
Today, two rooms in the house are open to the public. There's a tearoom and an exhibition. The exhibition shows the history of the Rhys family and the estate. It's designed to look like the year 1912.
The Beautiful Park and Gardens
Newton House is surrounded by a medieval deer park. This park was designed from 1775 onwards. It has winding paths and carefully placed trees. These trees frame the views of the house and castle.
The deer park is home to special herds of rare White Park cattle and fallow deer. Behind the house, there's a small garden with a central fountain. This garden has been restored to its original beautiful design.
The park is considered very important for its history and beauty. In 1862, Benjamin Clarje wrote that the park had "perhaps a richer display of varied landscape than any spot of similar size in the kingdom." He also noted that the River Towy flows nearby.
Wildlife in the Park
The woodland around the house is mainly made up of oak and wych elm trees. The ground is covered with plants like cherry, holly, and dog violet. You can also find special lichen here, including the rare lungwort.
The old parkland, with its fallow deer, is overlooked by the romantic Dinefwr Castle. The old trees attract birds like woodpeckers, common redstarts, and pied flycatchers. In winter, many ducks visit the water meadows.
Spooky Stories at Newton House
The National Trust says that Newton House is "thought to be one of the most haunted houses in Britain." Many people have reported seeing ghosts or strange things happening here over the years.
The servants' basement is said to be a very active spot. Many people have seen the ghost of Walter the Butler, who used to work at the house. Visitors have reported smelling his tobacco smoke in the room. They also hear muffled voices and see lights turning on and off by themselves.
People walking up the cantilever staircase have reported feeling like they are being choked. This is believed to be linked to the death of Lady Elinor Cavendish. She was a cousin of the lady of Newton House in the 1720s.
Television shows started investigating the hauntings in the 1980s. Once, crew members mysteriously got sick one after another while filming there. During another investigation, a beautiful young girl's ghost was said to have floated across a room and vanished through a cupboard door. The house was even featured on the TV show Most Haunted.
See also
- Cadw
- National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
- List of National Trust properties in Wales
- Grade II* listed buildings in Carmarthenshire
