With origins in the 15th Century, Llanvihangel Court was enlarged and re-styled around 1600 by the Morgan family. This photograph of the north facade is from a 1916 article in Country Life
It was owned from 1627 by Nicholas Arnold, then by his son John - both were MPs for Monmouthshire. The former was a renowned horse breeder, the latter a notorious ant-papist and priest hunter instrumental in the capture, trial and execution of the Jesuit "Father of the Poor" David Lewis, who was canonised in 1970
This 17th Century painting shows avenues of trees both approaching the house from the north, and leading away to the south. Modern access is by the lane that runs from the village to the west. The house and parkland may be faithfully depicted, but the representation of the Skirrid mountain and the Honddu river should not be relied upon if mapping out a walk
Looking back at the house from beyond the ha-ha, from the brochure for the sale of the house in 1924
The forecourt, entrance gateway and flight of steps - from the 1924 sales brochure
The avenue of "ancient Scots firs" leading north,
in 1916
The avenue of Scots firs in 1924
The replanted avenue in 2022
The front page of the brochure for the 1924 sale of the estate
The Pleasure Grounds, as described in the 1924 sale brochure
The huge bay windows, seen here in 1916, had been added to the east side of the house in 1905. They were removed by new owners in the late 1920s or 1930s in the interest of restoring the Tudor appearance of the house
The one remaining summerhouse, or Guardhouse, of a pair that had formed part of a lost enclosing wall, in 1924
The guardhouse, lake and specimen trees, in 2022
Looking back at the Grade 1 listed house from beyond the Grade 2* listed guardhouse
An avenue of Spanish chestnuts, now mostly gone, leading away from the south side of the house, in 1916. The leafless and bark-less skeletons of some of the trees still remain, giving the impression of a an elegant and ghostly sculptural installation
Exterior of the 17th Century stable block
- Grade I listed in its own right
Interior of the stables, which were built for Nicholas Arnold
The south side of the house, seen from the stable block, in 1916
