Product Code Database
Tredegar House (Welsh language: Tŷ Tredegar) is a 17th-century Charles II-era mansion in Coedkernew, on the southwestern edge of Newport, Wales. For over five hundred years it was home to the Morgan family, later Baron Tredegar, one of the most powerful and influential families in the area. Described as "the grandest and most exuberant country house in Monmouthshire" and one of the "outstanding houses of the Restoration period in the whole of Britain", the mansion stands in a reduced landscaped garden of . The property became a Grade I listed building on 3 March 1952 and has been under the care of the National Trust since March 2012. The park surrounding the house is designated Grade II* on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.
The form Tredeger is found in the sixteenth century as are variants with - a- in the final syllable . Over time, the form Tredegar established itself as the usual spelling, as in the name of the Tredegar Iron Company of 1800. It was this that gave its name to the village and later town of Tredegar. (2025). 9781843239017, Gwasg Gomer. ISBN 9781843239017
The current Welsh name of the house is 'Tŷ Tredegar', but this is somewhat unauthentic and is obviously a translation of 'Tredegar House'. Tŷ Tredegar, Plas Tredegar or Plas Tredegyr? Steffan Ellis. 29-11-2011./
A cadet branch of the ‘Tredegar Morgans’, probably nephews of Sir Thomas Morgan, included three brothers, Thomas, Robert and Edward. Thomas became Major-General Sir Thomas Morgan, 1st Baronet (1604–79), served in the Roundhead forces during the English Civil War 1642–9, was made Governor of Gloucester in 1645, fought in Flanders, was wounded, and in 1661 retired to his estate at Kynnersley, Herefordshire. Recalled in 1665 to become Governor of Jersey, he died at St Helier in April 1679. Married on 10 September 1632, he had nine sons, of whom the eldest, Sir John Morgan followed in his father's profession. Robert Morgan, (born circa 1615) became a farmer in Llanrumney, and was father of Henry Morgan (born in Llanrumney Hall, and pursued a successful career in the Caribbean as a privateer). Edward Morgan became Colonel Edward Morgan (born circa 1616 – Colonel after 1665), a Cavalier during the English Civil War 1642–49, and Captain General of the King's forces in South Wales. After the King's arrest and execution, he fled to the continent and married Anna Petronilla the daughter of Baron von Pöllnitz from Westphalia (Governor of Lippstadt, east of Dortmund in Germany). They had six children, two sons and four daughters (including Anna Petronilla and Johanna). He was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica 1664–65. During the civil war and after the Battle of Naseby, Charles I visited Tredegar House in 1645. In 1661 William Morgan (d.1680) rebuilt the house on a very grand scale, with the help of the huge dowry of his wife, Blanche Morgan. Their fortunes continued to flourish down the generations, tremendously enhanced by the foresight and business enterprises of Sir Charles Morgan, 1st Baronet throughout the 18th century. Following his father's financial successes, his son Sir Charles Morgan, 2nd Baronet further expanded several commercial and industrial projects, and virtually established Newport as an important trade centre. Whilst consolidating their influence on the political and economic issues of the country, they secured a baronetcy in 1792, and a Baron Tredegar in 1859. In 1854, Godfrey Morgan fought in, and survived, the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava. Godfrey was 22 and Captain in the 17th Lancers. His horse, Sir Briggs, also survived and lived at Tredegar House until its death at the age of 28. The horse was buried in the Cedar Garden with a memorial raised over its grave. In 1905 Godfrey was created the first Viscount Tredegar. He never married and on his death the estate passed to his nephew Courtenay Morgan. In 1920, the Tredegar Park Polo Club was founded at Tredegar House.Horace A. Laffaye, Polo in Britain: A History, Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, 2012, p. 13
Later, extravagance, eccentricities, and weighty death duties depleted the family's financial assets over the next two generations. John Morgan, 6th Baron Tredegar died childless in 1962 aged 54. His death signalled the end of the Morgans of Tredegar. In 1951, Tredegar House was stripped, the remaining contents were auctioned, and the estate was sold.
In 2012 the National Trust took over the running of the house, and 90 acres of grounds, from Newport City Council on a 50-year lease. The Trust said that Tredegar House was of "great importance" as many similar properties had been lost in the past 100 years. "National Trust to take Tredegar to ‘new stage in its long history" by Daniel Fisher at www.walesonline.co.uk The National Trust provide free-flow access to the house, but have closed parts of the upstairs to the public.
The television series Being Human, Da Vinci's Demons and The Hairy Bikers have all used the house as a location.
Since the programme was revived in 2005, many episodes of Doctor Who have used Tredegar House for location filming, including "The Christmas Invasion" in 2005; "New Earth", "Tooth and Claw", "The Girl in the Fireplace" and "Army of Ghosts" / "Doomsday" in 2006; "Human Nature" / "Family of Blood" in 2007; "The Unicorn and the Wasp" and "The Next Doctor" in 2008; "The End of Time" in 2009–10; "The Impossible Astronaut" in 2011; "The Woman Who Lived" in 2015; "Spyfall, Part 2" in 2020; and "Rogue" in 2024.
The House plays host to many events throughout the year, including an Easter Egg Hunt, Pirate's Day, August Bank Holiday 1930s Garden Party, Halloween and Christmas, which is themed around Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol. There are also daily talks, activities and special tours for visitors. An annual Folk Festival is held in May.
The House is approved for marriages and civil ceremonies and the Morgan Room may be hired for private functions.
For many years an annual vintage car rally was held in the grounds in order to raise funds for Leukaemia Research. The first rally was held in October 1980 and raised £635. The 34th and final rally was held in September 2014 and raised £80,000, bringing the total amount raised since 1980 to £868,000.
|
|
