Old Beaupre Castle, Llanblethian (South Wales)
Medieval manor house, modified during the Tudor period.
Introduction
Medieval manor house, modified during the Tudor period, including a magnificently carved Renaissance porch.
History to the present day
Old Beaupre Castle, variously known as Beaupre Castle, Old Beaupre Manor, or simply Beaupre is actually a ruined medieval fortified manor house.The original house was constructed as an L-shaped building which is now located within the inner courtyard, built around the start of the 14th century. Until the 18th century it was controlled by the Basset family. During the 16th century the buildings underwent much reconstruction and addition under the stewardship of first Sir Rice Mansel and later William Basset and his son Richard. During this time, the impressive outer gatehouse, a Renaissance style porch and the buildings around the middle court were all added.
Following the 16th century alterations, little work was carried out on Beaupre. The Basset family fortunes went into decline after the English Civil War and in the early 18th century ownership eventually passed to the Jones family. The Jones family decided not to settle in Beaupre Castle and chose instead to use the mansion of New Beaupre.
Arrival information and how to find us
Address: Old Beaupre Castle, Llanblethian, South Wales, , United Kingdom
Opening times:
Open site all year round.
Open sites are unstaffed and open to the public with no admission charge at all reasonable times, usually between 10.00 and 16.00 daily.
Photographs courtesy of CADW photographic library.
