Earlier Houses: An earlier stone manor house of the Morgans was destroyed to make way for the current house.

Built / Designed For: Sir William Morgan

House & Family History: The earliest record of a Morgan at Tredegar occurs in 1402, when Llewellyn Ap Morgan was documented living here. The Morgan family built a substantial stone manor house shortly after the 1485 accession of a Welshman, Henry Tudor, to the throne of England as Henry VII. The Morgans had been great supporters of Henry and were rewarded with land and titles, which they used to extend their wealth. The family lived quietly in this 15th century stone manor until the 1660s (in a great honor, Charles I visited Tredegar in 1645). During the late 17th century Sir William Morgan (died 1680) decided to build a grand, new red brick house (a rare building material in South Wales, but a style favored in England) where his descendants lived until 1951. Subsequently, after serving 23 years as a school, the house, together with 90 acres of parkland, was purchased by Newport Borough Council. In 1976 a major program of restoration began, which continues to this day. In 2012 the council let Tredegar to the National Trust on a 50-year lease. In 2020 the National Trust announced that, because of two thefts in the 21st century of lead off the roof of the historic house, a new roof would be installed in a non-metallic material that looks like lead. Tredegar is noted for its exceptionally fine Restoration interiors, particularly the Cedar Closet, a rare surviving Baroque closet with cupboards formed by Salomonic columns.

Comments: Tredegar House is considered the finest Restoration house in Wales and one of the most significant late 17th century buildings in Britain.

John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. I, p. 152, 1854.

Country Life: XXIV, 792, 838, 1908. CLXIV, 994, 1978.

House Listed: Grade I

Park Listed: Grade II*

Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSES: Llewellyn Ap Morgan, 15th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Sir William Morgan, 1670-80; Charles Morgan Robinson Morgan, 1st Baron Tredegar, 19th century; Evan Frederic Morgan, 2nd Viscount Tredegar, 20th century; Morgan family here from the 15th century until 1951.

Current Ownership Type: Government

Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction

Ownership Details: Owned by Newport Borough Council, who lease the house and 90 acres of grounds to the National Trust.

House Open to Public: Yes

Phone: 01633-815-880

Fax: 01633-815-895

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Historic Houses Member: No