Is a registered charitable organisation Charity No: 518513.
which aims to spread public interest in the historical, architectural and environmental importance of Tredegar House in Newport, acknowledged as one of the finest country houses in the Principality. They also raise funds to assist with the purchase, restoration and conservation of objects on display in the House.
The House
Tredegar House is one of the architectural wonders of Wales and one of the most significant late 17th century buildings in the whole of the Britain.
The earliest documented owner of a house at Tredegar is Llewelyn ap Morgan, who was alive in 1402, whilst in 1540 John Leland mentions “a very faire place of stone”, called Tredegar. Meanwhile Charles I and his retinue visited the house in 1645, which indicates the importance of the property.
Tredegar House is largely a creation of the late 17th century: between 1664 – 1672 it was rebuilt on a palatial scale when a sequence of state rooms was incorporated into the building. At this time the estate comprised 1,000 acres, of which 90 acres remain today.
The Lords of Tredegar are no more, the last dying in 1962. The House was sold and it’s contents dispersed in 1951 and for 23 years it was a school. Taking over Tredegar House in 1974, Newport Borough Council began restoring and refurbishing the property.
The story of Tredegar House and the Morgan family is a fascinating one. To find out more become a Friend and help to restore one of the finest 17th properties in Wales.
Tredegar House is now open for public tours from April to September, giving you the opportunity to enjoy one of South Wales’ best kept secrets. Additional special events take place throughout the year.
Annual General Meeting
In The Morgan Room
19th April 2012 at 7 pm
Latest News
National Trust to run Newport’s Tredegar House
As Reported in The South Wales Argus
3:50pm Saturday 3rd December 2011
By Natalie Crockett
CONSERVATION charity the National Trust will take over the running of Newport’s historic Tredegar House next March, it was announced yesterday.
Contracts between the charity and Newport City Council were exchanged on Thursday and the management of the iconic building, gardens and parkland will by transferred on March 19, 2012, in a 50-year lease.
As well as boosting visitor numbers to 100,000 a year – estimated to an extra £1.47 million to the local economy – the charity hopes to improve visitors’ experience and carry out necessary repairs and improvements, believed to be in the region of £4.5 million.
This would include improvements the children’s play ground area, the reopening of the orchard gardens, and restoration of the historic walled gardens.
Under the agreement, visitors will still have free access to the park grounds and the children’s play area as they do now, and city council events, such as mayoral functions, will continue.
Council leader Matthew Evans said the agreement would make the future of the much-loved feature much more secure.
He said: “I am proud that the council has attracted such a prestigious partner as the National Trust to work with us to enhance and conserve this important building.”
“I would like to stress that Tredegar House still belongs to Newport – this is just a new stage in its long and distinguished history.”
Justin Albert, National Trust director for Wales, said the charity was privileged to be taking responsibility for the landmark and said he hoped the support of its four million members would help give it even more care, protection and profile.
He added: “We are focused on ensuring the Trust’s involvement in this partnership will continue to bring great benefit to Newport, as well as the rest of Wales.
“The National Trust has a strong, proven track record of developing unique visitor experiences at historic places, countryside and coastal properties, and we believe this experience will add an exciting new dimension to the continuing history of Tredegar.”
Tredegar House and The National Trust
As Reportedby BBC News Wales South East
26 May 2011
National Trust to lease Tredegar House in Newport
Tredegar House Tredegar House was rebuilt in the 1670s
Tredegar House, one of the most historic stately homes in south Wales, is to be leased to the National Trust for 50 years.
Newport council took the decision to hand over its running on Tuesday.
The park and children’s play area will still be free to visitors, bookings for weddings and other events will be honoured, and tour charges will stay.
The council will keep ownership of the Grade I listed building as lease negotiations continue.
It is hoped a higher profile as the National Trust’s first stately home in south Wales will boost paying visitor numbers from 25,000 to 100,000 a year.
Tredegar House was the ancestral home of the Morgan family, later Lords Tredegar, from the 15th Century until 1951.
The oldest part of the building is from the late 15th Century
Tredegar House was sold in 1951 and used as a private school until the 1970s
The building was then used as a private school until the then Newport Corporation bought the property in 1974.
The National Trust will be able to give it the profile and promotion that it needs and deserves”
Matthew Evans Leader, Newport council
Although the local authority has carried out restoration work in subsequent years, a recent survey found that the house and other buildings on site still needed around £4.5m of major work.
While responsibility for the renovation work is still under negotiation, Newport council leader Matthew Evans said the lease would increase Tredegar House’s popularity.
“The National Trust will be able to give it the profile and promotion that it needs and deserves,” he said.
“It is a major kudos for Newport and Tredegar House that we were able to attract such a prestigious partner.”
Source: Newport council
Staff, trade unions, the Friends of Tredegar House and other organisations were consulted during the negotiations.
Anne Pegington, chairwoman of the Friends of Tredegar House, said that the society’s initial concerns over the plan had been allayed and that members had a “positive outlook”.
Once contract details are finalised, it is expected that the National Trust will take over the property in spring 2012.
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