Former Detached Kitchen and Dairy at Upper Dyffryn
Designated
19 October 2000
Reference no.
24150
Location of Upper Dyffryn House in Monmouthshire
Upper Dyffryn House, Grosmont, Monmouthshire is a farmhouse dating from the early 17th century. It was built by John Gainsford, Sheriff of Monmouthshire in 1604. The farmhouse is Grade II* listed as are the dairy and kitchen which stand a little way from the main building.
History and description
The detached kitchen and dairy at Upper Dyffryn
The farmhouse was constructed in the very early 17th century, Cadw recording that the builder was almost certainly John Gainsford, who served as Sheriff in 1604.[1] Both the exterior and the interior have been little altered subsequently.[1] The kitchen and dairy, which comprise a separate building set a little away from the house may originally have been constructed as an independent dwelling.[2] Its construction date is "probably contemporary" or slightly later than the farmhouse.[2]
The architectural historian John Newman describes Upper Dyffryn as a "tall early 17th century farmhouse".[3] It is two storeys high,[3] with attics above, and constructed of Old Red Sandstone rubble.[1] It has a stair turret and tall chimney stacks, representing "a considerable advance in layout".[1] The dairy is also of two storeys and of rubble construction and has a "fine ovolo moulded doorway with ornate shaped door-head".[2]
