| Coldbrook Park | |
|---|---|
 The drive to the now-demolished house | |
| Type | House |
| Location | Llanover,Monmouthshire |
| Coordinates | 51°48′31″N2°59′50″W / 51.8085°N 2.9973°W /51.8085; -2.9973 |
| Built | mid 18th century, with earlier origins |
| Architectural style(s) | Palladian |
| Official name | Coldbrook Park |
| Designated | 1 February 2022 |
| Reference no. | PGW(Gt)30(MON) |
| Listing | Grade II |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
| Official name | Coldbrook Chapel |
| Designated | 31 January 2001 |
| Reference no. | 87654 |
  Location of Coldbrook Park in Monmouthshire | |
Coldbrook Park,Llanover,Monmouthshire, Wales, was a major country house and estate. Home successively to theHerberts, theHanburys and theHalls, the house was demolished in 1954. The estate, which remains privately owned, is listed on theCadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.
The Monmouthshire antiquarian SirJoseph Bradney suggests that the first recorded owner of the Coldbrook estate wasRichard Herbert, second son ofWilliam ap Thomas ofRaglan Castle.[1] TheHerbert family's origins were atWern-ddu in the north of the county. Executed after theBattle of Banbury in 1469, Richard Herbert was buried in the Priory Church of St Mary, Abergavenny.[2] In the mid-18th century, the estate was sold toJohn Hanbury (1664–1734) ofPontypool, who passed it to his third son,Charles Hanbury Williams (1708-1759).[1] Hanbury Williams, a diplomat, poet andwit, undertook a major rebuilding of themediaeval house in aPalladian style.[3]William Coxe, who stayed at Coldbrook on his tour of Wales in 1799, devotes nine pages of hisAn Historical Tour of Monmouthshire to recording Hanbury Williams' anecdotes and witticisms.[4] In the late 19th century, the park was bought byLady Llanover, later coming into the ownership ofArthur Herbert, ofLlanarth Court.[1]
Following the death of Lady Helen Herbert, the contents of Coldbrook Park were dispersed at an 11-day sale in 1952,[5] and the house was demolished in 1954.[6] Coldbrook Park estate remains in the possession of the Herbert family, along with the adjacent estate atLlanover.[7][8] In 2022, it was listed on theCadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.[9]
Little is known of the original house of the Herberts, although Bradney, writing in the very early 20th century, described parts as being "very ancient".[1][a] TheRoyal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales suggests 13/14th centuries origins for the building, with reconstruction in theTudor era.[6] Coxe, who saw Hanbury Williams' mid-18th century remodelling, considered it "delightfully situated", though more suited to occupation in the warm summer months as it was surrounded by trees and north-facing.[4][b]John Newman, in hisGwent/Monmouthshire volume of thePevsner Buildings of Wales was less complimentary, calling Hanbury Williams' designs, "somewhat gauchePalladian".[3] Newman notes that nothing now remains of the house beyond some stables and outbuildings which have been converted to residential use.[3]
The park dates mainly from the 18th century, with 19th and 21st century additions.[9] However, theParks & Gardens UK record suggests evidence of Tudorterracing. It also notes the existence of an external cold bath.[12][c] The park islisted at Grade II.[9] A small chapel by a lake, constructed by Lady Llanover is also Grade II listed.[15][d]