Open Doors - St John's House, Bridgend

St John's House is the oldest habitable building in Bridgend, with beams dating to 1511/1512. In style and plan it belongs to a class of buildings known as hearth-passage houses as, in plan, they share a common characteristic of the main hall fireplace and chimney backing onto a central passage which serves to divide the house into two units.

The building is of possible 15th, and certain 16th century, construction: the presence of a stair encapsulated within one of the walls could support the very late medieval origin, rather than a Tudor construction date. 

The building is of unusual quality. It has seen little change, and preserves a degree of structural integrity not always seen in domestic dwellings of an early post-medieval date in Wales.

The house is located in the Newcastle Hill Conservation Area, which includes the medieval Newcastle Castle ruin, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and a number of buildings of 17th century and later date, some of which are also listed. None are as old as St John’s House.

On 26 and 27th September, medieval archers will be displaying their weapons of choice, on other days the house will open as normal with displays of local crafts.

Address - St John's House, Newcastle Hill, Bridgend, CF31 4PG.

Location - on the right when walking up Newcastle Hill. Note - there is no parking on Newcastle Hill.

You do not need to book for this event.