Newton Court
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox building
|name = Newton Court
|former_names =
|map_type = Wales Monmouthshire
|image = Newton Court 4.jpg
|image_alt = A red-brick, three-storey, historic house with a red-brick wall and gates in front
|coordinates = {{coord|51.8255|-2.6943|display=inline,title}}
|altitude = {{convert|80|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
|start_date = 1799
|completion_date = 1802
|renovation_date =
|architect = Anthony Keck
|architectural_style = Neo-classical
|floor_count = 3
}}
Newton Court is a neoclassical house, completed in 1802, situated on the hillside above Dixton, {{convert|1|mi|km|abbr=on}} north-east of the town on Monmouth, in Monmouthshire, Wales. It is a Grade II* listed building.{{NHAW|num=85215|desc=Newton Court, including attached stable buildings and screen wall to stable court, Monmouth|grade=II*|access-date=18 April 2022}} The stable block is listed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), noted for as a breeding site for lesser horseshoe bats.
History
=Early land use=
The first major activity on the land, other than evidence of a few prehistoric flints, was in the medieval period, with pottery finds and indications of iron smelting. Domesday Book mentions that a mill might have been present in the area. Industry continued through to the post-medieval period, with kiln waste being found.{{cite web|title=Lower Wye Valley: Newton|url=http://www.ggat.org.uk/cadw/historic_landscape/wye_valley/english/wyevalley_021.htm|publisher=Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust|access-date=12 June 2012}}
A 14th-century manor house was present in the area, possibly on the site of the present-day Newton Court.
=Construction=
The land for Newton Court, on a south-east facing hillside, was purchased by Admiral Thomas Griffin in the 18th century at the same time as the land at Hadnock and was left to his third son, George Griffin, after his death. Under George, Newton Court was constructed between 1799 and 1802, possibly to the designs of architect Anthony Keck of King's Stanley in Gloucestershire, who died prior to its commencement.{{cite book|last=Newman|first=John|title=The Buildings of Wales: Gwent/Monmouthshire|year=2000|publisher=Penguin Books|location=London|isbn=0-14-071053-1|author2=Manning, William |author3=Hughes, Stephen |page=216}}
The three-storey house was built in the neoclassical style, using coursed red sandstone with Forest of Dean stone dressings and a slate roof.{{Coflein|num=222528|desc=Newton Court|access-date=18 April 2022}}
=Usage to present day=
The house remained in the Griffin family at least until 1901, when according to Kelly's Directory of Monmouthshire it was "the seat of George Griffin Griffin esq., M.A., D.L., J.P."{{cite web|title=Kelly's Directory of Monmouthshire 1901|url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~familyalbum/kdixton.htm|publisher=Kelly's Directories Ltd|access-date=13 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023015457/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~familyalbum/kdixton.htm#|archive-date=2012-10-23|url-status=dead}}
The house, stables, and screen wall were listed as Grade II* listed buildings in 2005, whilst the gate piers, gates, and wing walls were Grade II listed in the same year.{{NHAW|num=85201|desc=Gatepiers, Gates and wing walls at Newton Court, Monmouth|grade=II|access-date=18 April 2022}}
Newton Court Farm is situated at the end of Newton Court Lane and in between this and the house is the older 17th-century Newton Hall, which is a Grade II listed building.Ordnance Survey: Explorer map sheet OL14 Wye Valley & Forest of Dean {{ISBN|9780319240953}}{{NHAW|num=85216|desc=Newton Hall, Monmouth|grade=II|access-date=18 April 2022}}
Stable Block
File:Newton Court Stable Block 1.jpg
Newton Court Stable Block is noted as a small SSSI, totalling {{convert|2.3|ha|acre|abbr=on}} in area; it comprises the stable block, which is also a Grade II* listed building, the courtyard and neighbouring woodland.{{cite web|title=Newton Court Stable Block map|url=http://www.ccw.gov.uk/landscape--wildlife/protecting-our-landscape/special-landscapes--sites/protected-landscapes-and-sites/sssis/sssi-sites/idoc.ashx?docid=5524642a-5982-4950-809d-7df3bb925b6b&version=-1|publisher=Countryside Council for Wales|access-date=12 June 2012|format=pdf}}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} It is of importance because it is the only breeding colony in Monmouthshire for the nationally rare and endangered greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) and one of only three known sites in Wales. Between 50 and 100 adult and flying young have been recorded on the site, using the stable roof space for nesting. The stable block is also used by a few lesser horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus hipposideros).{{cite web|title=Newton Court Stable Block|url=http://www.ccw.gov.uk/landscape--wildlife/protecting-our-landscape/special-landscapes--sites/protected-landscapes-and-sites/sssis/sssi-sites/idoc.ashx?docid=33556cdf-c4a8-41ad-80dd-61a0fb67b03c&version=-1|publisher=Countryside Council for Wales|access-date=12 June 2012|format=pdf}}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The SSSI forms part of the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Bat Sites Special Area of Conservation.{{cite web|title=Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Bat Sites|url=http://www.ccw.gov.uk/landscape--wildlife/protecting-our-landscape/special-sites-project/wye-to-yerbeston-sac-list/wye-valley-bats-sac.aspx?lang=en|publisher=Countryside Council for Wales|access-date=12 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223130026/http://www.ccw.gov.uk/landscape--wildlife/protecting-our-landscape/special-sites-project/wye-to-yerbeston-sac-list/wye-valley-bats-sac.aspx?lang=en|archive-date=23 December 2012}}
The stable block building has previously undergone a number of temporary maintenance improvements, but {{as of|2012|lc=y}} is in a state of disrepair.{{cite web|title=Newton Court Stable Block Site Management Statement|url=http://www.ccw.gov.uk/landscape--wildlife/protecting-our-landscape/special-landscapes--sites/protected-landscapes-and-sites/sssis/sssi-sites/idoc.ashx?docid=5106ac0c-7f5a-45fb-8f27-ade10fc674af&version=-1|publisher=Countryside Council for Wales|access-date=12 June 2012|format=pdf}}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Buildings in Monmouth}}
Category:Country houses in Monmouthshire
Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Monmouthshire
Category:Grade II* listed houses
Category:1802 establishments in the United Kingdom
Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Monmouthshire
Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest notified in 1998