Restored façade revealed and new exhibition opened as scaffolding comes off historic house at Dyffryn Gardens

Conservation of the limestone façade, work to the roof and restoration of the joinery on the windows means the Grade II* listed Victorian house is now watertight for the first time in decades. The project has seen all four elevations of the house restored, protecting and championing a significant part of Welsh heritage.

Built from Bath stone around 125 ago, Dyffryn House was built by John Cory, a wealthy coal merchant, as a family home. It was used as a home for less than 50 years before being leased to Glamorgan County Council where it had varying uses, including a reserve Police Headquarters and education and conference centre.

Since becoming custodians of Dyffryn in 2013 the Trust have carried out repair works to both the house and 55-acre Grade I listed garden.

Lizzie Smith-Jones, National Trust Cymru’s General Manger at Dyffryn Gardens says:

“This is an exciting time for Dyffryn Gardens as we give the magnificent house a new lease of life.

With the Victorian exterior gleaming, we are celebrating the successful restoration project and returning the house to centre stage of the garden just in time for the start of autumn. People coming to Dyffryn to enjoy the autumn colours will also be able to enjoy breathtaking views of the house, newly restored.”

Now, with the exterior works finished the conservation charity are continuing essential compliance and conservation works to the interiors of Dyffryn House to protect it for future generations to enjoy.

While the main body of the house interior remains closed to allow for the essential works to take place, the Trust are opening a new exhibition to share the conservation journey with everyone.

From 26 October, ‘House of Discovery’, will be open to view in the Morning Room every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11am to 3pm.

Lizzie Smith-Jones adds:

“We are excited to open the Morning Room to our supporters at Dyffryn.

The exhibition reveals the different lives and fortunes of the house since it was built in the 1890s and the work we’re doing to conserve the building, so it stands proudly at the heart of the gardens for another 125 years.”

National Trust volunteers will be on hand in the Morning Room to welcome visitors and on display will be a few select pieces or the Cory family tea set. One of the few remaining original collection items at Dyffryn, the tea set was donated to the Trust in 2018.

A grant of £100,000 was received from The Wolfson Foundation to part fund the external repairs to Dyffryn House.

To plan a visit to see the newly revealed house and the new House of Discovery exhibition go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dyffryn-garden