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Our work in the house at Dyffryn Gardens
The house as we see it today is around 125 years old and has seen many different lives. Find out how we’re looking after the house to ensure it stands proudly at the heart of the gardens for another 125 years to come.
The lives and fortunes of Dyffryn House
John Cory remodelled the existing house in the 1890s and a member of the Cory family lived there until the death of Florence Cory in 1936. Since being a family home, it was used as a reserve Police Headquarters and Training Establishment, a residential education centre, a conference centre, and more.
In the 1990s work was carried out to turn the house into a hotel but the project was never completed. Over the last 15 years, repair works have been carried out, particularly to the ground floor, and the Stoneworks Project has made the house watertight.
Restoring the house exterior
In autumn 2023 we completed our restoration of the house’s exterior. The weather had taken its toll on the house, causing the decorative limestone façade to decay and let in water. To make the house watertight, we repaired the exterior stone, replaced the lead sections on the roof, repaired the joinery on the external windows, and completed external decorations. This essential conservation work will protect the house from further damage and restore the façade, allowing it to stand proudly at the heart of the garden.
Stone pediment before restoration
Stone pediment covered in orange moss and weather damaged
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How we’re looking after the house today
We’re continuing essential compliance and conservation works to the house interiors to protect it for future generations to enjoy.
With extensive surveys completed earlier in 2023 and more to come, we’re increasing our understanding of the whole life of this Grade II* listed building. These surveys add to our existing knowledge of the house, helping us to plan the next stage of works.
We’re starting a programme of remedial repairs to the areas where the building has suffered from water ingress before the house was made watertight. This includes repairs to the panelling in the Oak Room, the flooring of the Billiard Room, and the ceiling of the porte-cochère (the exterior ‘porch’ at the North Front of the house).
We’ll continue to share updates with our supporters as we work on conserving this historic house for many years to come.
House of Discovery exhibition
Find out more about the work we’re doing to look after the house and the stories of its many different lives in our new exhibition ‘House of Discovery’. Open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 11am to 3pm.
We're focussing on making sure that the house will stand proudly at the heart of the garden for another 125 years to come.
Every time you visit, you support our conservation work that makes this possible. Each cup of tea you enjoy, each second-hand book you pick up, and every plant or gift you buy goes towards looking after this special place. Thank you.