TREDEGAR HOUSE, NEWPORT

Site Description

Tredegar House stands on low-lying level ground west of the river Ebbw, on the western fringe of Newport. Until l95l the house was a private home, the principal residence of the Morgan family, who lived there from the early l5th century onwards. A substantial stone manor house was built on the site in the late l5th or early l6th century, of which only a small part, the south-west wing of the present house, survives.

Between about l664 and l672 the present grand mansion was built by Sir William Morgan. It is a large two-storey square house built around a small courtyard. It is constructed of red brick, with a pitched slate roof (originally higher, and surmounted by a cupola and balustrading) with attic storey. The main entrance is in the middle of the north-west side, with a fine doorway flanked by spiral twist columns supporting a broken split pediment. The elaborate stone porch on the north-east side is a l9th-century addition. The architect of the house is unknown.

Apart from some internal rearrangements, the lowering of the roof, and the addition of the north-east porch, there were few subsequent alterations to the house. The house retains an exceptionally fine interior including a 17th century black marble fireplace, original oak panelling with exceptional carved detailing, an original 17th century plaster ceiling and a rare surviving Baroque closet in the master dressing room.

In l859 Sir Charles Morgan became the first Baron Tredegar. In l95l the last of the Morgans, John Morgan, sold the house to the Sisters of St Joseph for use as a Catholic girls' boarding school. In l974 house and grounds were purchased by Newport Borough Council.

Associated with:
Park/gardens (Nprn266066)
Stables (Nprn25152)
Brewhouse (Nprn43375).

RCAHMW AP945158/65-70

Coflein

TREDEGAR HOUSE, NEWPORT

Site Details

Site Description