Scolton Manor facts for kids
Scolton Manor is a cool old house in Pembrokeshire, West Wales. It's near a town called Haverfordwest. This big house was built a long time ago, in the Victorian era. Now, it's a fun museum where you can learn about history. It's also surrounded by a beautiful country park that everyone can visit. The house and its old stables are special buildings. They are owned by the Pembrokeshire County Council. The gardens and park are also very important. You can explore the house, the park, and see many interesting things.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Scolton Manor was designed by local builders, William and James Owen. It was built in 1840. A family called the Higgons moved in by 1842. This house replaced an older one that belonged to the same family. That first house had burned down in the 1700s.
The Higgon family was very important in Pembrokeshire. Three members of the family were even High Sheriff of Pembrokeshire. This was a big job in the area. The last Higgon to live there was Lt Col John Henry Victor Higgon. He lived there until 1987.
The house looks like a grand old building. It has a style called neo-classical. This means it looks like old Greek or Roman buildings. It has plain, unpainted walls and a roof made of slate tiles.
Later, the Pembrokeshire County Council took over Scolton Manor. They turned the grounds into a country park. The house was also fixed up and opened to the public. Today, Scolton Manor is home to Pembrokeshire's main museum service.
What You Can See
Inside the Manor House
The main hall inside the house shows off the long history of Pembrokeshire. You can learn about nature and rocks from the area. There are also displays about jobs and trade. You can even see what life was like during World War II.
The museum also has a special collection. It's called the David Burton-Richardson Collection. This includes paintings, drawings, and other items. They all tell the story of this artist's life.
Exploring the Outbuildings
Outside the main house, you can find more cool exhibits. The old outbuildings show what country life was like in Pembrokeshire. You can see the stables and old carriages. There are also displays about traditional skills. These include how carpenters and blacksmiths used to work.
You can also learn about the relationship between a poacher and a gamekeeper. A poacher is someone who hunts illegally. A gamekeeper protects wild animals on land. There's even a special gypsy caravan on display. It's called VARDA and is very unique!
Fun in the Grounds
The grounds around Scolton Manor are great for exploring. There's a Victorian walled garden. It opened in 2014. You can also visit the Pembrokeshire Beekeeping Centre there.
A very interesting part of the garden is the pineapple house. In 2018, it grew a pineapple! People think it was the first pineapple grown in Wales in over 100 years.
You can also see an old train engine named Margaret. It's a steam locomotive that was used on a local railway back in 1878. The gardens and park are very important. They are listed as historic parks in Wales.
