Dinefwr Park

Dinefwr Park from the castle

Beautiful parkland, perhaps landscaped by Capability Brown, surrounds 17th-century Newtown House in the heart of Dinefwr Park. There are formal gardens near the house and woodland walks to historic Dinefwr Castle.

The park surrounding Newtown House has been in use for over 2,000 years. Ruins of an Iron age fort have been discovered, and two Roman forts. Edward I founded a planned town here, and Lord Rhys built a 12th century castle overlooking the wooded valley.

Around 1775 Edward Rice and his wife, Lady Cecil Talbot, called in Capability Brown to create a landscape garden from the ancient parkland.

The Landscape Gardens

The result was one of the most talked-about gardens of the landscape garden movement, with sinuous trails winding through carefully arranged settings of trees and viewpoints, with the medieval castle acting as a scenic folly.

Within the park are herds of white cattle and deer, a restored ice house, and a Victorian Italianate garden near the house. You can visit the garden and parkland independent of Newtown House, which is now operated by the National Trust.