Discover more at Dinefwr
Find out when Dinefwr is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Visiting Newton House at Dinefwr
Standing proudly at the heart of the Dinefwr estate is Grade II* listed Newton House, a family home for over three hundred years to the descendants of The Lord Rhys, the powerful Prince of the Welsh Kingdom of the Deheubarth. Cared for by the National Trust since 1990, Dinefwr is now a place for you to enjoy, relax and refresh.
What can you see inside Newton House?
The story of Dinefwr reflects the history of Carmarthenshire and the nation of Wales. Throughout Newton House you’ll get a flavour from different eras in the history of the house and the estate.
On the ground floor, you can imagine living in the house in the dining room, play games in the drawing room and marvel at the glorious grand staircase. On the half landing, take a look out across the Deer Park from the newly restored conservatory before delving deeper into the history within the art and exhibition space.
In the basement you get to feel like one of the workers in the house, see where they slept and where they completed their daily chores.
The garden can be visited through a doorway at the bottom of the staircase, view the restored fountain, the parterre and pause in the summer house to see if you can spot the deer.
A visit to Newton House would not be complete without visiting the second-hand bookshop and café of course, both to be found on the ground floor.
Art and Exhibitions at Dinefwr
On the first floor of Newton House a series of exhibitions delve into different aspects of our history, reflecting on varied aspects of life at Dinefwr over the centuries.
We’re taking inspiration from the ninth Lord Dynevor, Richard Rhys, who established a creative programme of arts at Dinefwr in the mid nineteenth century, with an ongoing programme of arts and cultural events to celebrate the legacy of that vision.
They provide a glimpse into the history of the estate and its people by unveiling objects from the collection for the first time. They also provide a platform for contemporary creative practitioners to respond to the long history of the site and the landscape.
Castle of Culture: Dinefwr and the Spirit of the Sixties.
New exhibition now open
For three years in the 1960s Dinefwr became a vibrant centre for modern art, music, film and theatre promoted by the youthful ninth Lord Dynevor, Richard Rhys.
This new exhibition, curated by Dr Peter Wakelin tells the story of the series of arts festivals that brought the spirit of the sixties to the west Wales countryside.
The Discovery Room: biodiversity at Dinefwr
Explore the Discovery Room which unpacks both the history and the incredible natural biodiversity of the Dinefwr estate.
Dinefwr’s deep history is represented within a contemporary timeline which meanders across the walls revealing the story behind this ancient landscape. It features Lady Cecil’s portrait reflecting on her impact on the designed parkland in the 18th century. This display was created by artist Julia Griffiths Jones and designer Heidi Baker.
Discover the fine ceramic fungi models on display (on loan from the British Mycological Society) with thanks to the National Botanic Garden of Wales.
The Landscape Room at Dinefwr
Part of our ‘Treasured Land’ programme of exhibitions and events the Landscape Room reveals four significant and rare oil paintings, which speak of the wealth, status and aspirations of the estate and the family who owned it.
Completed by an unknown artist, documentation regarding the paintings is minimal and research is ongoing, however it is thought that they were probably commissioned to celebrate the stewardship of Griffith Rice, who was MP for Carmarthenshire from 1701-10.
A short film shares how experts have studied the paintings to uncover their past. Find out how a tiny detail within the paint analysis revealed the true age of the artworks.
Archaeology of Home exhibition, Dinefwr
From a hand-forged nail or a scrap of hand-printed wallpaper, to a piece of decorative plaster work from the original ornate ceilings, the objects in this exhibition reveal much about the ‘Archaeology of Home’.
The exhibition features fragments and materials from Dinefwr’s collections that offer a fascinating glimpse into the historical building materials and decorative techniques used at Newton House since it was built in the 17th century.
Here about heritage plastering techniques on view as part of this exhibition in a short film that offers insight into the craftmanship, techniques and skill embodied in Newton House’s cornicework and ceilings.
New wallpaper design
Responding to the historic wallpaper collection displayed in the Archaeology of Home exhibition, designer and printmaker, Isabel Kate Porch selected images and themes from Dinefwr to create an especially commissioned hand block printed roll of wallpaper for the collection. Inspired by her Welsh heritage Isabel is drawn to the histories of objects and the stories and emotions they can evoke.
This contemporary wallpaper design is the third commission of contemporary craft and design shown as part of the Archaeology of Home exhibition.
View Isabel working in her studio and discussing the processes and inspirations behind the wallpaper in a short film by Siôn Marshall-Walters .
History of Newton House, Dinefwr
Built in 1600 by Edward Rice, the current house takes its name from the ‘New Town’ built for English settlers in the medieval period. The Jacobean mansion, from which the current house evolved, was built on a site that has been occupied for two thousand years.
Gothic façade
The exterior that you see today dates from the 1850s when a fashionable Gothic façade was added. Many of the original 17th century features can still be seen within the house, including the magnificent grand staircase and exceptional ornate ceilings.
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