Wenvoe Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wenvoe Castle |
|
|---|---|
Wenvoe Castle and estate in 1899
|
|
| General information | |
| Town or city | Near Wenvoe, Vale of Glamorgan |
| Country | Wales |
| Coordinates | 51°26′5″N 3°16′9″W / 51.43472°N 3.26917°W |
| Completed | 1776–77, 1928 |
Wenvoe Castle was once a grand castle and large country estate. It was located between the towns of Barry and Wenvoe in the Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales. Today, the land where the castle stood is home to the Wenvoe Castle Golf Club. A place called Goldsland is located nearby, to its west.
Contents
The Story of Wenvoe Castle
Early Owners
For a long time, Wenvoe was owned by three families: De Sully, le Fleming, and Malefaunt. A castle at Wenvoe was first written about in the late 1530s. This was in a book called Leland's Itinerary.
New Families Take Over
Later, the castle became property of the King or Queen. This is called being "escheated to the crown." After that, the Thomas, Birt, and Jenner families owned it one after another.
The Thomas Family
The Thomas family took over the estate in 1560. This happened when Jevan ap Harpway married Catherine, who was the only daughter and heir of Thomas ap Thomas. The Thomas family was very important in the history of Glamorgan.
Important Thomas Family Members
Many important people came from the Thomas family. One was Edmund Thomas (1633–1677). He was a politician who served in the House of Commons in 1654 and 1656. This was a part of the English government. He also served in a special council called Cromwell's Upper House.
Another notable family member was Colonel Charles Nassau Thomas (died 1820). He worked for the Prince of Wales, who later became King George IV. Sir Godfrey-Vignolles Thomas, 9th Baronet (1856–1919), was also a part of this family.
The Birt and Jenner Families
In 1774, the Thomas family faced financial difficulties. They sold the estate to Peter Birt, a very successful coal businessman from Yorkshire. Mr. Birt decided to build a new castle.
A New Castle is Built
The new castle was built in 1776–77. It was designed by a famous architect named Robert Adam. This was the only building he designed in Wales. The Birt family later passed the estate to the Jenner family in 1823 or 1824.
The Jenner Family's Influence
The Jenner family was also very important in Glamorganshire during the 1800s. A part of Barry today, Jenner Park, is named after them. Robert Francis Jenner (1802–1860) held an important local position called High Sheriff of Glamorgan in 1827.
Wenvoe Castle Today
A large part of the castle was badly damaged by a fire in 1910. However, it was rebuilt in 1928. It was restored to look like its original Georgian style. Today, the castle building is used as the clubhouse for the Wenvoe Castle Golf Club. The golf club itself was started in 1936 by the owner of the estate at the time, Hugh Jenner.
