Newton Court is a neoclassical house, completed in 1802, situated on the hillside above Dixton, north-east of the town on Monmouth, in Monmouthshire, Wales. It is a Grade II* listed building.
History
Early land use
The first major activity on the land, other than evidence of a few prehistoric
, was in the
medieval period, with pottery finds and indications of iron
smelting.
Domesday Book mentions that a mill might have been present in the area. Industry continued through to the
post-medieval period, with
kiln waste being found.
A 14th-century manor house was present in the area, possibly on the site of the present-day Newton Court.
Construction
The land for Newton Court, on a south-east facing hillside, was purchased by Admiral Thomas Griffin in the 18th century at the same time as the land at
Hadnock and was left to his third son, George Griffin, after his death.
Under George, Newton Court was constructed between 1799 and 1802, possibly to the designs of architect
Anthony Keck of King's Stanley in
Gloucestershire, who died prior to its commencement.
The three-storey house was built in the neoclassical style, using coursed red sandstone with Forest of Dean stone dressings and a slate roof.
Usage to present day
The house remained in the Griffin family at least until 1901, when according to Kelly's Directory of Monmouthshire it was "the seat of George Griffin Griffin esq., M.A., D.L., J.P."
The house, stables, and screen wall were listed as Grade II* listed buildings in 2005,
Newton Court Farm is situated at the end of Newton Court Lane and in between this and the house is the older 17th-century Newton Hall, which is a Grade II listed building.[Ordnance Survey: Explorer map sheet OL14 Wye Valley & Forest of Dean ]
Stable Block
Newton Court Stable Block is noted as a small SSSI, totalling in area; it comprises the stable block, which is also a Grade II* listed building,
the
courtyard and neighbouring
woodland.
It is of importance because it is the only breeding colony in Monmouthshire for the nationally rare and endangered greater horseshoe bat (
Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) and one of only three known sites in Wales. Between 50 and 100 adult and flying young have been recorded on the site, using the stable roof space for nesting. The stable block is also used by a few lesser horseshoe bats (
Rhinolophus hipposideros).
The SSSI forms part of the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Bat Sites Special Area of Conservation.
The stable block building has previously undergone a number of temporary maintenance improvements, but is in a state of disrepair.
