Pentwyn, Rockfield

Pentwyn, Rockfield, Monmouthshire is a Victorian villa dating from the mid 19th century. Its origins are older but the present building was constructed by the Monmouth architect George Vaughan Maddox for himself in 1834–1837, and subsequently altered by him after a later sale. It was converted into apartments in the 20th century. The house is Grade II* listed.

Pentwyn
"Much altered Tudoresque"
Type	House
Location	Rockfield, Monmouthshire
Coordinates	51.8306°N 2.7542°W / 51.8306; -2.7542
Built	1834–1837
Architect	George Vaughan Maddox
Architectural style(s)	Tudor Revival architecture
Governing body	Privately owned
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official name: Pentwyn
Designated	28 September 2006
Reference no.	87504
Location of Pentwyn in Monmouthshire

History

The Monmouthshire historian Sir Joseph Bradney records that the property was originally owned by the Vaughan family of Llanrothal.[1] In 1834, James Vaughan left the house to his nephew George Vaughan Maddox.[1] Maddox, from a family of architects, had a significant practice in Monmouthshire and his works in Monmouth gave the county town, "its particular architectural flavour".[2] Maddox certainly undertook works at Pentwyn on his own behalf, and Bradney suggests he designed further improvements after selling the property to the Reverend Canon John Harding in 1864.[1] However, Maddox died in that year and Cadw considers that most of the improvements and extensions to the house predate the sale.[1] In the 20th century, the villa was converted into apartments.[3]

Architecture and description

The architectural historian John Newman describes the house as "Tudoresque" in style.[4] Cadw prefers a description of Georgian Gothick.[1] The house is of two storeys, with large attics above, and rendered in stucco.[1] The roofline has elaborate bargeboards and pinnacles.[5] The interiors, which contain many original features, are similarly Gothick in design, with the exception of a large dining room dating from circa 1900.[6] The building is Grade II* listed, on account of its architectural interest and its historic connections with George Vaughan Maddox.[1]

Notes

1. "Listed Buildings – Full Report – HeritageBill Cadw Assets – Reports". cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net.
2. Newman 2000, p. 394.
3. "Property details for Pentwyn Rockfield Monmouth NP25 5QB – Zoopla". www.zoopla.co.uk.
4. Newman 2000, p. 516.
5. "PENTWYN - Coflein". www.coflein.gov.uk.
6. Stuff, Good. "Pentwyn, Llangattock-Vibon-Avel, Monmouthshire". www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk.

References

• Newman, John (2000). Gwent/Monmouthshire. The Buildings of Wales. London: Penguin. ISBN 0-14-071053-1.