Last Sunday, I headed to the 17th Century mansion, Tredegar House in Newport, South East Wales. It is a short drive from my home on the edge of Cardiff, and is a Grade I listed building is managed by the National Trust. The ideal place to get some fresh air and a change of scenery. Trying to blow away all thoughts of the Coronavirus, even if just for an hour or two.
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I have been to the grounds, Tredegar Park, many times. A BBQ was held there when I worked in radio, and I have taken part in the weekly Newport ParkRun which takes place on Saturday mornings at 9am. However, I have never been in the house. For Christmas, I bought Michael (the boyfriend) a membership so we could plan so day trips out together.
Over five hundred years of history
I have been to the grounds, Tredegar Park, many times. A BBQ was held there when I worked in radio, and I have taken part in the weekly Newport ParkRun, which takes place on Saturday mornings at 9am. However, I have never been in the house. For Christmas, I bought Michael (the boyfriend) a membership to help plan some day trips out together. Instead of saying, where do you want to go, or what do you want to do, we can just consult the National Trust Map.
Over five hundred years of history
All the way back in the year 2000, John Newman+ described it as “The grandest and most exuberant country house” In Monmouthshire and one of the “outstanding houses for the Restoration period in the whole of Britain“. Tredegar House was home to the Morgan family, later Lords Tredegar, for over 500 years.
There are so many interesting characters in the Morgan family, including a decedent Henry Morgan, who is known the world over as the pirate Captain Morgan. They have been involved at pinnacle points of history, including their elevation of prestige during the Tudor period and taking part in the English Civil War.
In 1854, Godfrey Morgan fought and survived the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War. His trusty steed, Sir Briggs, also survived and lived at Tredegar House until he died aged 28. The horse was buried with full military honours in the Cedar Garden, where there is now a monument.
The last Morgan was John Morgan, 6th Baron Tredegar, who died in 1962. The mansion house was sold at auction in 1951, and the house was bought by the Catholic Church so it could be a school. Later, it was sold on to Newport City Council in 1974. In December 2011, the National Trust signed an agreement to take on the management of the building and the gardens and parklands.
Discover Tredegar House
There has been a house on the site since medieval times. Currently, as you wander around the red brick house and art gallery, the rooms have been set up to tell the story of the Newport Rising. This was the last large-scale rebellion against the authority in Great Britain. In Newport, the movement was led by John Frost, and followers called themselves Chartists in 1838.
Chartism was a national protest where millions of working-class people signed a petition submitted to parliament. Above all, they wanted a vote, with a secret ballot, for every man aged 21 and over. At the time, there was a lot of corruption in politics. You needed to be male, aged over 25 and have an income of over £4000 per year to vote. Which is about £445,000 in today’s prices.
The Newport Rising saw nearly 10,000 Chartist sympathisers march on the Welsh city of Newport. The men, most of whom were coal miners with homemade arms, were intent on liberating fellow Chartists. The latter had been taken prisoner at Westgate Hotel. Twenty-two demonstrators were killed when troops opened fire on them. The leaders, including John Frost, were convicted of treason and were sentenced to be hung, drawn and quartered. This was later commuted to transportation.
The Newport Rising and The Morgan’s
At the time of the rising, The Morgan’s were one of the most powerful families in South Wales. As the largest landowner in the region, they had a responsibility to tenants. Sir Charles Morgan received a series of letters from John Frost, accusing him of indifference to the lives of his tenants, rebuking him for his frivolous pursuits and highlighting what he considered the corruption, villainy and cruelty of Sir Charles’ land agent, Thomas Prothero. When exploring the house, you can see Chartists posters and trial documents on loan from the National Library of Wales and Newport Museum.
“You have, Sir Charles, on various occasions, declared that it would give you pleasure to promote the inhabitants of Newport. This was a wise determination; for, as the greater part of the town belongs to you, in promoting the welfare of the inhabitants, you serve yourself.” John Frost
Walk in the Morgan’s footsteps
There are three gardens within the house walls, with the house at the centre. The first garden you enter is called the Orchard Garden. As you wander through alongside the trees and brightly coloured flowers is a pinery. According to the sign, this is a vinery that was built in 1791 by John Morgan. The pipes heated the building so that exotic plants and fruits could grow.
The next garden you enter is the Cedar Garden, dominated by a huge tree. It is a Cedar of Lebanon, an evergreen conifer and native to the Eastern Mediterranean basin and 250 years old. (I had to research this, as I have no idea about trees, plants or flowers!) Additionally, the Morgan family were animal lovers. At the heart of this garden is the tribute to Sir Briggs, as previously mentioned. There are also headstones dedicated to the family’s beloved dogs, Peeps, Friday and Barry.
After that, is the Orangery, the final garden. It is the smallest, but my favourite of the three. It has the most beautiful, intricate patterns. The surfaces are covered with a collection of different coloured minerals. In the Orangery, itself are fruit trees that have been growing since the 18th Century. In the 1930s, Evan Morgan used it to house his exotic birds.
The Parklands
Even if visiting Tredegar House isn’t your thing, a winter walk or summer stroll around Tredegar Park will be enjoyable. Bring a picnic and enjoy the large sweeping lawn. Let your children run around, or let them head to the playpark to keep them entertained. Runners, couples and those who want to stretch their legs can follow the path around the lake, which is home to swans, herons and, of course, ducks.
Bringing your dog to Tredegar House
Four-legged friends can be king or queen of the castle and are welcome at Tredegar House. Locals walk their dogs daily in the park, and there are over 90 acres to explore and can go off lead. But in the formal garden’s dogs do need to be kept on a lead. Finally, the café is even dog-friendly and sells puppuccinos and doggy ice cream. The only place they can’t go is the house itself. I am already planning to take our rescue dog, Ivan, for a visit.
Admission and how to get there
So, pre-booking your visit is essential, and timed tickets will need to be purchased in advance. The house is open daily between 10.30am and 5pm.
It is £5 per adult, £2.50 per child and £12.50 for a family ticket. Parking costs £1 for one hour, £2 for four hours and £5 for 24 hours. But National Trust members are free, including parking.
The house is just off Junction 28 on the M4. If you are not familiar with this roundabout, however, it can be confusing. Do not put the postcode in the SatNav, as it takes you on a wild goose chase. It is recommended that you use the road name ‘Pencarn Way’ and follow the brown signs.
National Trust Membership
So, I pay £12.60 per month for a joint membership, which gives us entry to all National Trust properties. It also entitles us to free parking at sites too. However, there are options for single and family memberships as well. Finally, don’t forget to go through Top Cashback. Currently, they are offering 3% back on what you spend.
National Trust Vs English Heritage
If you are weighing up getting a National Trust Membership or English Heritage Membership, I’ve done the leg work for you. If you want to explore more historical sites, you might be wondering which is better? Here’s all you need to know.
National Trust Holidays
National Trust Holidays offer a selection of holiday cottages, campsites and bunkhouses set in spectacular locations. Sleeping 2 – 12 guests, they have everything you need for a night away, from kitchen facilities to cosy gardens to relax in during warmer weather.
+ Newman, John (2000). Gwent/Monmouthshire. The Buildings of Wales. Penguin. ISBN 0140710531.
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