Introduction
Cilwendeg dates from the 1780s and is a John Nash designed Grade II Georgian mansion house.
Cilwendeg has a landscape park with lodges of the 1830s and a drive. There is also an unusual series of terraced lawns below the mansion leading to woodland paths. From the 1830s, there is a shell grotto and elaborate farm buildings. There is also a small arboretum and a walled kitchen garden. The house became an old people's home in the 1950s.
The Cilwendeg Shell House Hermitage was built in the late 1820s for Morgan Jones the Younger (1787-1840), who inherited the Cilwendeg estate upon the death of his uncle.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Telephone
01239 842222Website
https://www.cilwendeg.comAccess contact details
The Cilwendeg Shell House and the Capel Colman Church are both open for public viewing on Thursdays from the first week in April through the last week in September (9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.).
Admission is free to each building but site donations are always welcomed.
Group tours (10 or more persons please) may be accommodated at other times by prior arrangement for a minimum donation of £1 (per person) for each building or £1.50 for a tour of both buildings.
For more detailed information visit The Temple Trust website.
Directions
Cilwendeg Park is located to the east of the village of Boncath in Pembrokeshire off the B4332 (between Boncath and Newchapel).
Vehicular access to the Shell House car park is restricted to cars only (vans and buses may not enter at any time).
Visitors are requested to follow the signs from the car park to the Shell House.
Owners
Pembrokeshire County Council
County Hall, Haverfordwest,, SA61 1TPOther Websites
- History
18th Century
In 1764, Morgan Jones (The Elder) (1740-1826) he completely rebuilt the neglected medieval chapel called Capel Colman at the western perimeter of Cilwendeg Park.
20th - 21st Century
Cilwendeg Mansion had been used by the county council as a residential care home from 1955 until it closed in 2010.
The mansion has now (2022) been restored and is a exclusive-use luxury venue.
Period
- 18th Century (1701 to 1800)
- Late 18th Century (1767 to 1800)
- Features & Designations
Designations
CADW Register of Landscapes Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales
- Reference: PGW(Dy)17(PEM)
- Grade: II*
CADW Register of Listed Buildings in Wales
- Reference: House, counting house, bell house, stable, coach house
- Grade: II*
CADW Register of Listed Buildings in Wales
- Reference: Pigeon house, shell grotto
- Grade: II
Features
- Mansion House (featured building)
- Description: The central block has three storeys, with two additional two-storey blocks.
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Dovecote
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Barrier
- Description: Unusual slate barrier.
- Stable Block
- Garden Building
- Description: 'The Counting House'.
- Earliest Date:
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- Shell Grotto
- Pool
- Description: Brick-lined bathing pool.
- Gate Lodge
- Earliest Date:
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- Drive
- Terrace
- Lawn
- Description: There is an unusual series of terraced lawns below the mansion.
- Tree Feature
- Description: Arboretum.
- Kitchen Garden
- Key Information
Type
Park
Purpose
Ornamental
Principal Building
Domestic / Residential
Period
18th Century (1701 to 1800)
Survival
Part: standing remains
Hectares
86
Open to the public
Yes
Civil Parish
Boncath
- References
References
- CADW, {Register of Landscapes, Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales: Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire} (Cardiff: CADW, 2002) 186 Register of Landscapes, Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales: Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire
- Jones, B., {Follies and Grottos} (London: Constable & Co., 1953) 412 Follies & Grottoes