Lower Dyffryn House, Grosmont
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. The oldest part of the building appears to date from 1590-1630. In the later 17th century, the house was extended as an E-plan mansion, by a cadet branch of the Cecils. The house was restored in the 19th century, although by this date its status had declined to that of a farmhouse. In the very early 20th century its wood panelling was removed to the nearby mansion, Hilston Park.
The architectural historian John Newman describes Lower Dyffryn as an "extraordinarily remote (and) melancholy" house. It is constructed of Old Red Sandstone rubble, 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.
The farmhouse remains in private ownership and is a Grade II* listed building. The garden walls have their own Grade II listing, as do the granary, the "quite grand" haybarn, and the shelter shed. The gardens themselves are listed at Grade II on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.
Notes
- ^ Newman 2000, pp. 244–245.
- ^ Cadw. "Lower Dyffryn House (Grade II*) (1950)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ Cadw. "Walls to Terraced Garden at Lower Dyffryn (Grade II) (24154)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ Cadw. "Granary and Cider House at Lower Dyffryn (Grade II) (24151)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ Cadw. "Hay Barn, attached Corn Barns, and Pigsty at Lower Dyffryn (Grade II) (24152)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ Cadw. "Shelter Shed at Lower Dyffryn (Grade II) (24153)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ Cadw. "Lower Dyffryn (PGW(Gt)24(MON))". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
References
- Newman, John (2000). Gwent/Monmouthshire. The Buildings of Wales. London: Penguin. ISBN 0-14-071053-1.