Tredegar House is an iconic stately mansion that was once home to the influential Morgan family. It’s one of the grandest country houses in the area.
Steeped in history, Tredegar House is now under the care of the National Trust and is one of Newport’s top attractions for both locals and visitors.
I recently stopped by to see it for myself and I’ve put together this helpful guide with everything you need to know for planning your own visit.
About Tredegar House
Tredegar House is a magnificent mansion dating back to the 17th century. It was the home of the Morgan family, known as the Lords Tredegar, for over five centuries. They claimed descent from Welsh princes and had significant wealth which gave them a strong influence in Newport.
The last Morgan to live here was Evan who was known for his extravagance. He owned pet bears, held wild parties, and practiced black magic.
When he died, his relatives sold off the estate to help with the financial burden he left behind. The house briefly became a Catholic girls' school until it was bought by the council in the 1970s and turned into a museum. It has been managed by the National Trust since 2012.
How To Visit Tredegar House
By Car: To visit Tredegar House by car, leave the M4 at junction 28 and follow the National Trust symbol on the signs.
- Postcode: NP10 8YW
- What3Words: ///rank.exist.statue
- Google Maps: There are several locations for Tredegar House on Google Maps so ensure you use this pin for the main entrance.
Is there parking at Tredegar House? Yes, there is a car park at Tredegar House. This is a pay-and-display car park which costs £2 for up to 4 hours. The car park is free to National Trust members by scanning your membership card at the machine.
By Public Transport: The best way to visit Tredegar House by public transport is using bus number 36 from Newport and getting off at Pencarn Way, just after Asda. From here, it’s a 5-minute walk to the entrance.
If you’re visiting Tredegar House from Cardiff, you can catch bus number 30 and get off at Cleppa Park. From here, it’s a 10-minute walk to the entrance.
Visitor Information
Prices
Entry to Tredegar House and Gardens is free for National Trust members. Non-members can purchase a ticket upon arrival. The latest prices are as follows:
| Adult | £11.00 |
| Child | £5.50 |
| Family (2 adults and up to 3 children) | £27.50 |
| Family (1 adult and up to 3 children) | £16.50 |
If you live in the immediate surroundings, you can also get a local residents pass.
Parklands: The parklands are free to visit but you’ll still need to pay for parking unless you are a member. Arrive before the house closing time to ensure you can enter the car park (you can exit at any time).
Opening Times
Main House
The house opening times vary seasonally, here is the latest schedule:
| June – September | 11am-4.30pm, daily |
| October | 11am-3.30pm, daily |
| November - December | 11am-3.30pm, Friday-Monday only |
Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
Note: The gardens are open for an extra 30 minutes before and after the house.
Brewhouse Café
| Summer (until September) | 10am-5pm, daily |
| Winter | 10am-4pm, daily |
Last orders are 30 minutes before closing.
Parklands
The parklands are open from dawn until dusk year-round.
FAQs
Is Tredegar House Accessible for Wheelchairs and Prams?
Yes, most of Tredegar House is accessible to wheelchairs and prams. Unfortunately, there is no lift so wheelchair users won’t be able to visit the upstairs rooms, although it’s still worth visiting.
Signage indicates that the lake walk is difficult for wheelchairs, however, I didn’t do this myself so I cannot confirm.
Is Tredegar House Suitable for Dogs?
No, although dogs are allowed in the gardens and parkland, they are not allowed in the house which is the main part of the attraction. Assistance dogs are still welcome.
Is There a Café at Tredegar House?
Yes, there is a café at Tredegar House called the Brewhouse Café. This is a typical National Trust tea room serving a range of hot and cold drinks, cakes, and light snacks. It has both an indoor and outdoor seating area. Find the opening times above.
How Long To Spend at Tredegar House?
We spent 2 hours visiting Tredegar House which included time to visit the house, gardens, and café. If you plan to do the lake walk around the parklands, then add an extra hour and a half.
Things To Do at Tredegar House
1. Wander through the gardens
When you first arrive at Tredegar House, you’ll enter through the gardens which are separated into three areas: the Orchard Garden, the Cedar Garden, and the Orangery Garden. Although the gardens aren’t huge, on a sunny day, it’s nice to wander around them.
While browsing the gardens, look out for the old hothouses where the family would have grown tropical fruit, the 250-year-old Cedar of Lebanon tree, and the stone monument in memory of Sir Briggs (the horse that the first Lord Tredegar rode into battle during the Crimean War).
Top Tip: If you’re visiting with children, ask for an explorer backpack which contains binoculars, a compass, a magnifying glass, and insect observation equipment perfect for avid explorers.
2. Explore the 17th-century house
You’ll spend most of your time at Tredegar House exploring the house itself. Inside, the rooms ooze luxury. From the grand dining rooms to the living quarters, everything has been recreated how historians believe they would have looked when the Morgan family lived there, it might remind you a little of Downton Abbey.
You can also see the areas where the servants resided and discover what they had to put up with during their work. Look out for the Victorian servant's bell system that allowed them to be summoned from anywhere in the home.
Around the house, you’ll find volunteers in some of the rooms. I encourage you to speak to them as they have extra information that isn’t on the information board and may be able to tell you some interesting stories about the extravagant family that once made Tredegar House their home.
3. Follow the family trail with Peeps the dog
If you’re visiting Tredegar House with your family, then kids are sure to enjoy the games that are dotted around the house such as dressing up and puppet shows.
You can also ask for the family trail booklet which will take you on a self-guided tour around the home led by Peeps, the Skye Terrier once owned by Godfrey Morgan.
4. Take a walk around the lake in the parklands
The parkland around Tredegar House has a large lake and is home to resident ducks. The parkland is free so you don’t need to have a valid admission ticket to visit. However, you will still need to pay for parking.
There is a 1-mile circular trail around the lake. I didn’t do this myself, however, the signage indicates that it takes around 1hr30 to complete and is flat and easy (although could be challenging for wheelchairs).
If you want to feed the ducks on your way around, National Trust recommends that you pack some frozen peas which are full of nutrients and loved by birds.
The parkland is open from dawn to dusk, however, if you’re planning an evening trip, I’d advise that you arrive before the house closing time to ensure you can enter the car park (you can still leave whenever you like).
Events at Tredegar House
The biggest event at Tredegar House is the Tredegar House folk festival which is hosted in the grounds during May each year. This is a ticketed event but includes free entry to the house and gardens. Find details here.
Adventure Cinema often host outdoor cinemas in the gardens of Tredegar House during the summer. This is a ticketed event. Check the Adventure Cinema website for upcoming listings.
National Trust also host events within the house and gardens such as children’s play days during school holidays and guided tours. These events are usually free but require you to purchase an admission ticket to the house. Find out about upcoming events here.
Interesting Facts About Tredegar House
Later in this article, I’ll share a detailed history of Tredegar House, but first, here are some of the more interesting facts you might enjoy:
1. The Morgan family had exotic animals roaming the house
Evan Morgan was the last Morgan to live here and was quite a quirky character. He had a love for animals and had a collection of unusual ‘pets’. Which included a kangaroo called Somerset, a honey bear called Alice, a baboon called Bimbo and a parrot called Blue Boy.
Evan was also into black magic, going by the name The Black Monk, and was known to throw wild parties at Tredegar House where the booze bill came to £250 (about £15,000 today).
Evan was gay which was controversial at the time so he also had two wives.
Some of his elaborate stories involve reading the palm of Queen Mary, being a lover of King Paul of Greece, and being locked up in the Tower of London for sharing top secret information with girl guides.
2. Captain Morgan, from the rum, is from the same Morgan family that lived here
One of the most famous descendants of the Morgan family (although he didn’t live at the house) was Henry Morgan. He became a privateer in the Caribbean and is now the namesake of the Captain Morgan’s rum brand.
3. Tredegar House has appeared in many Dr Who episodes
During David Tenant’s reign as the doctor, Tredegar House featured in 9 episodes of Dr Who, including his debut as the doctor in 2005.
You can find a full list of the episodes it appeared in here.
History of Tredegar House
Tredegar House has been the ancestral home of the influential Morgan family for centuries. They were a Welsh family who claimed descent from Welsh princes and held significant sway in Newport and the surrounding area due to their wealth.
The family’s wealth stems back to their ties with the Tudors. When Henry Tudor became King Henry VII, the Morgan family were rewarded for their early support and given roles in the Tudor crown.
The current Tredegar House was constructed in the 1670s by Sir William Morgan, however, a property is likely to have stood at this location at least as early as the 14th century.
Over time, the family's estate expanded to over 40,000 acres including some of the surrounding hills. Sir Charles Gould Morgan, a later head of the family who also served as the local MP during the 19th century, recognised the value of the land for coal mines and iron works which further increased the family’s wealth and power.
Godfrey, Charles' grandson, was known for his generosity and when the estate fell into his hands, he famously reduced rents for his tenants and let one widow live rent-free.
However, the Morgan era at Tredegar House came to an end with Evan Morgan, who was known for scandalous behaviour and left behind financial burdens. The house later became a Catholic girls' school and eventually a museum.
Today, Tredegar House is owned by the local council but leased to the National Trust who maintain it and ensure it’s accessible for visitors.
Published: 15 June 2023