Clytha Park

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Clytha Park

Clytha
Monmouthshire

National Trust

Clytha Park 1.jpg
Grid reference: SO3658209075
Location: 51°46’35"N, 2°55’9"W
Information
Website: Clytha Estate

Clytha Park in Clytha, Monmouthshire, is "the finest early nineteenth century Greek Revival house"[1] in the county and encompasses its "two outstanding examples of late eighteenth century Gothic",[1] the gates to the park and Clytha Castle. The owners were the Jones family, later Herbert, of Treowen and Llanarth Court. It is a Grade I listed building as at 1 September 1956.[2]

The house was constructed for William Jones on his inheritance in 1820, using the Shrewsbury architect, Edward Haycock Snr. The building is a square in the Greek Doric style, of ashlar with sandstone dressings.[3] It has a large central Ionic portico. The interior is pure Doric,[3] with a circular vestibule leading to a spacious staircase hall.

On the old Abergavenny-to-Raglan road stand the entrance gates, reputedly by John Nash,[1] who did undertake work in South Wales. A lodge is set to one side. The gates have their own Grade II* listing.[4]

Overlooking the house, on a prominent hill, stands the folly of Clytha Castle, constructed by William Jones the Elder in memory of his wife. Long attributed to Nash, recent documentary discovery has shown that it was designed by John Davenport,[3] who also laid out the grounds, a "well-preserved (example of) a late eighteenth century landscape park".[5] The Herbert family lived at the house in the 19th century.

Although owned by the National Trust, the house remains the private residence of Sir Richard Hanbury-Tenison and is accessible only by prior written appointment.[6]

The park gates

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Buildings of Wales: Gwent/Monmouthshire, page 190
  2. Good Stuff IT Services (1956-09-01). "Clytha Park - Llanarth - Monmouthshire - Wales". British Listed Buildings. http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/wa-1966-clytha-park-llanarth. Retrieved 2012-02-12. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Buildings of Wales: Gwent/Monmouthshire, page 191
  4. Good Stuff IT Services (1956-09-01). "Gateway and railings to Clytha Park - Llanarth - Monmouthshire - Wales". British Listed Buildings. http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/wa-1967-gateway-and-railings-to-clytha-park-llanar. Retrieved 2012-02-12. 
  5. "CLYTHA PARK, GARDEN, ABERFFRWD | Manylion y Safle". Coflein. http://www.coflein.gov.uk/cy/safle/265945/manylion/CLYTHA+PARK,+GARDEN,+ABERFFRWD/. Retrieved 2012-02-12. 
  6. "Brecon Beacons (Central) - Clytha house, castle and gates". National Trust. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/home/view-page/item425571/292150/. Retrieved 2012-02-12. 

References

  • Newman, J. (2000). The Buildings of Wales: Gwent/Monmouthshire. London: Penguin Books.