Big House, Landshipping
Encyclopedia
Big House is a country house in Landshipping, Pembrokeshire
on the banks of the River Cleddau which was originally built in 1750 and owned by the Owens of Orielton who were the Landshipping Coal Agents. The house was constructed using stone and roof materials from the older, ruined inland mansion (near to Clare House). This building would have been a simple rectangular design with an entrance facing South-West, before several alterations occurred, with the final alterations occurring in 1830 when architect William Owen. Owen added a third storey to the western wing and moved the entrance to the North facade, between two bows that were added at the same time to look out over the River Cleddau
. His design inspired by Slebech Hall and Picton Castle
. The house remained occupied until the late 1800s when it fell into disrepair and by 1890 it was a ruin. However the cottages at the rear remained lived in until the 1970s. In 1922 the Landshipping Estate, including Big House, was sold at auction.
A document from 1857 described Big House as having Bed Rooms, Hall, Parlour, Dining Room, Drawing Room, Nursery, Library, Servants Offices, Range of Stabling, Coach House, Saddle Room & Granary Over Yard, External Walled Garden, Orchards, and a wood set in nearly 6 acres.
Due to poor estate management and political misadventure, he lost his fortune in 1856 and had to sell Big House, which was bought by William Owen, who was an architect. He was a wealthy self made businessman, who started out as a cabinet maker and builder. He was a self taught architect and finally invested in a railway business. During the 19th century he was one of Pembrokeshire's biggest landowners with estates at Poyston and Withybush.
The current owner, Mr Alun Lewis, purchased the house in 2002. He lives there with his current partner, Claire Thomas, with the aim to turn it into a family home and a business.
a network BBC TV series directed by Richard Traylor-Smith, as Alun Lewis and former partner Sarah Hoss moved in to begin the project; then again in 2005 the couple were featured with their project in the BBC TV series Magic Harbours presented by Jamie Owen
In 2011 Big House featured on episode six of the BBC television series Restoration Home
, presented by Caroline Quentin
.
Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire is a county in the south west of Wales. It borders Carmarthenshire to the east and Ceredigion to the north east. The county town is Haverfordwest where Pembrokeshire County Council is headquartered....
on the banks of the River Cleddau which was originally built in 1750 and owned by the Owens of Orielton who were the Landshipping Coal Agents. The house was constructed using stone and roof materials from the older, ruined inland mansion (near to Clare House). This building would have been a simple rectangular design with an entrance facing South-West, before several alterations occurred, with the final alterations occurring in 1830 when architect William Owen. Owen added a third storey to the western wing and moved the entrance to the North facade, between two bows that were added at the same time to look out over the River Cleddau
River Cleddau
The River Cleddau consists of the Eastern and Western Cleddau rivers in Pembrokeshire, west Wales. They unite to form the Daugleddau estuary, which forms the important harbour of Milford Haven....
. His design inspired by Slebech Hall and Picton Castle
Picton Castle
Picton Castle is a medieval castle near Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Originally built at the end of the 13th century by Sir John Wogan and is still inhabited by his descendants, the Philipps family ....
. The house remained occupied until the late 1800s when it fell into disrepair and by 1890 it was a ruin. However the cottages at the rear remained lived in until the 1970s. In 1922 the Landshipping Estate, including Big House, was sold at auction.
A document from 1857 described Big House as having Bed Rooms, Hall, Parlour, Dining Room, Drawing Room, Nursery, Library, Servants Offices, Range of Stabling, Coach House, Saddle Room & Granary Over Yard, External Walled Garden, Orchards, and a wood set in nearly 6 acres.
Residents
The House was originally owned by Sir John Owen, later passing to his son Hugh, who was born in Lincolns Inn, Middlesex in 1804. He lived in the house until 1856. He first married Angelina and had 3 children - William, Angelina and Frances. He had two male & three female servants. At this time he was a landowner as well as Lieutenant Colonel of the Pembroke Militia. His first wife died. He later married Hentietta and had two more children, Augustus and George, and his household had increased to include a live-in Nurse and five house servants.Due to poor estate management and political misadventure, he lost his fortune in 1856 and had to sell Big House, which was bought by William Owen, who was an architect. He was a wealthy self made businessman, who started out as a cabinet maker and builder. He was a self taught architect and finally invested in a railway business. During the 19th century he was one of Pembrokeshire's biggest landowners with estates at Poyston and Withybush.
The current owner, Mr Alun Lewis, purchased the house in 2002. He lives there with his current partner, Claire Thomas, with the aim to turn it into a family home and a business.
Media
In 2002 Big House appeared in This LandThis Land
This Land was a Canadian television series, which aired from 1970 to 1982 on CBC Television. Evolving from the earlier series This Land of Ours, a documentary series about Canada's agricultural and natural resources, This Land expanded its focus to include environmental and conservation...
a network BBC TV series directed by Richard Traylor-Smith, as Alun Lewis and former partner Sarah Hoss moved in to begin the project; then again in 2005 the couple were featured with their project in the BBC TV series Magic Harbours presented by Jamie Owen
Jamie Owen
Jamie Owen is a Welsh radio and television presenter best known for presenting Wales Today.-Background:Owen was born in Withybush Hospital Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire. His father was a Pembroke Dock Solicitor, James Meyrick Owen and his mother was a health visitor and midwife. Jamie also had two...
In 2011 Big House featured on episode six of the BBC television series Restoration Home
Restoration Home (TV series)
Restoration Home is a BBC television series produced by Endemol who created the BBC Restoration . The six episodes feature historic buildings that have been saved from dereliction by their owners...
, presented by Caroline Quentin
Caroline Quentin
Caroline Jones known by her stage name Caroline Quentin, is an English actress. Quentin became known for her television appearances in Men Behaving Badly, playing Dorothy, and playing Maddy Magellan in Jonathan Creek for three years.-Early life:...
.