Lower Dyffryn House, Grosmont, Monmouthshire is a farmhouse dating from the 16th century. Owned by a Sheriff of Monmouthshire in the early 1600s, it was rebuilt by the Cecil family in the mid 17th century as a substantial mansion to the typical Elizabethan e-plan. Its fortunes declined in the 19th century by which point it had been reduced to a farmhouse and much of its external and internal fittings were removed or replaced. The farmhouse is Grade II* listed and a number of the ancillary buildings have their own Grade II listings. The gardens, which are contemporaneous with the house, are included on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.
History and description
The farmhouse was constructed in the very late 16th century, Cadw recording that the owner was probably John Gainsford, who served as Sheriff in 1604.[2] The oldest part of the building appears to date from 1590-1630.[2] In the later 17th century, the house was extended as an E-plan mansion, by a cadet branch of the Cecils.[1] The house was restored in the 19th century, although by this date its status had declined to that of a farmhouse.[1] In the very early 20th century its wood panelling was removed to the nearby mansion, Hilston Park.[2]
The architectural historian John Newman describes Lower Dyffryn as an "extraordinarily remote (and) melancholy" house.[1] It is constructed of Old Red Sandstone rubble,[2] of two storeys, with a two-storey porch. Newman also records details remaining of the 17th century setting, including a gazebo set in the wall of an enclosed garden.[1]
