Big House, Landshipping

The Big House is a 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 an 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. The final alterations occurred in 1830 by 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 was 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.^[1]

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. The current property is set in about 2 acres.

The property in July 2003

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 Henrietta 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 and his partner at the time, purchased the house in 2000.^[2][3]

Media

In 2002 Big House appeared in This Land, a network BBC TV series directed by Richard Traylor-Smith, as Alun Lewis and then partner Sarah Hoss and their children moved to the site to begin the project;^[4] then again in 2005 the family were featured with their project in the BBC TV series Magic Harbours presented by Jamie Owen.^[5]

In 2011 The project featured on episode six of the BBC television series Restoration Home, presented by Caroline Quentin.^[6]

In 2012, the house was again featured in an episode of "Restoration Home: One Year On", Episode Three^[7] with Alun Lewis and partner Claire Thomas, when the second bay was partially restored.

The website for Big House indicates that progress has been largely stalled since 2012, due to financial constraints; and, the proposed Bed and Breakfast is still not open. The house is a private residence and private property.^[8] Photos on the website^[9] from across the river, and on a Facebook page for the area, show the current state of the building.^[10]

References

External links

• http://www.landshipping.webs.com

Coordinates: 51°46′09″N 4°52′58″W / 51.7692773°N 4.8826557°W / 51.7692773; -4.8826557