Stouthall
This fine building at Reynoldston, dates from the 1790's and was rebuilt from an earlier Stouthall that stood on the same grounds since Tudor times. The present building was modelled upon the mansion at Penrice Castle and contains an exquisite oval library, complete with a secret door hidden behind a dummy book case.
Home to the Lucas family from Tudor times to the mid 19th Century, the house has seen a variety of uses in the last century. Home to billeted troops during World War 1, the mansion later became a private home, then a school, and then a youth hostel. During World War 2, Stouthall became a centre of evacuee children and later a maternity hospital. A County Council convalescent home for some years, more lately, the London Borough of Merton hired the building as a Centre for Environmental Studies, a lease that ran until 1998.
On the grounds of the estate stands a cave - the pride of John Lucas, who used it as a grotto, decorating it with coloured glass and other fine adornments. The grotto had drainage problems, however, and upon John Lucas' death was used as a rubbish tip before being filled up and sealed. The cave (which has lately been excavated) was once believed to have been the entrance of a fabled passageway connecting Stouthall with the Salthouse in Port Eynon.
For those with Facebook accounts, or are willing to set one up, there's a great online group there devoted to Stouthall. Unfortunately the way Facebook is set up makes it impossible for me to offer a direct link to the group from here but it is an easy matter to find it once you log in to your Facebook account. Just click on Groups in the left hand nav tab in Facebook, and then search Groups using the term Stouthall. So far there are already 793 members there. Whilst you are in Facebook, if you are feeling particularly friendly, you can always add me as a friend. There are already a few Chris Elphick's there so good luck finding me if you do decide to add me to your Friend's List. See you there?
