Introduction
Newport Castle (Welsh: Castell Trefdraeth) is a castle located in Newport, Pembrokeshire, Wales. The earliest castle on the site was built in the 13th century, and the present structure was built in the 19th century and is a private residence.
The site is located in a prominent position overlooking the town about 100m from Newport Church at an elevation of about 64m above sea level. The earliest castle on the site was built in the 13th century, and the present structure was built in the 19th century and is a private residence.
A three-storey private residence was built in 1859 on the site of the castle's gate-house, as part of renovations carried out by the owner at the time, Sir Thomas Lloyd, during which one of the flanking towers of the gatehouse was demolished. Three other towers at the corners of the building remain, along with a curtain wall.
The castle was built of Old Red Sandstone and local grey limestone. Originally, it was surrounded by a moat, within a rectangular walled court.
House is L-plan and 3-storeys on North side, where windows are pierced through medieval masonry. Original gatehouse was of 2 round towers flanking entry, but that to East has been rebuilt flat-fronted, having collapsed in early C19, with 2 lancets and picturesquely ruinous top.
The castle was listed with Grade I status on 16 January 1952.
Today, the building remains in private ownership and is not open to the public.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Access contact details
Newport Castle is a private residence.
- History
The second Newport Castle was established in 1191 to replace Nevern Castle as a large ringwork but the visible stone work dates from the late thirteenth century. It had to be rebuilt in stone after being destroyed in 1215 by Llywelyn the Great and again in 1257 by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd.
- Features & Designations
Designations
CADW Register of Listed Buildings in Wales
- Reference: Newport Castle
- Grade: I
Features
- Castle (featured building)
- Earliest Date:
- Latest Date:
- Key Information
Type
Garden
Purpose
Ornamental
Principal Building
Domestic / Residential
Survival
Extant
Electoral Ward
Newport
- References
References
- Browne, David and others {Newport Castle, Pembrokeshire (An Architectural Study)} (Aberystwyth: Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales, 1992) Newport Castle, Pembrokeshire (An Architectural Study)
Contributors
Mike Statham