Pontypool Park: History, Hanburys and Hermits

We follow the fortunes (founded in iron and tin) of the Hanbury family of Pontypool Park and, along the way, encounter hermits, the Duchess of Marlborough, a secret cupboard, and even an unfortunate poisoning. We also touch on the incredible life of Sir Charles Hanbury Williams, poet, satirist, diplomat and hellraiser, and discover what happened to his home, Coldbrook Park, just south of Abergavenny.

[@mkrmkr3805]

I thoroughly enjoyed that. Very Informative and entertaining. Thank you.

[@CatalinaSabella]

House of Spite - Great name for a pub! The folly (sp?) reminds me of Rapunzel's Tower

[@kolebrown7498]

I acutely know what happened to the house during the fire. In the one part of the building where as you described it as the building with more of Major John Hanbury architecture in it was the part of the building which fought fire and only that part fought fire but all of the interior actually survived.

[@larrybarnes1433]

Enjoyable video again. I sense that Paul is sceptical but I really hope a hermit did live in the Pontypool Park Grotto!

[@littleknowledgepodcast674]

Yes, I'm a tad sceptical, but only because I haven't read any firsthand accounts of anybody encountering the hermit of Pontypool Park. Of course, that might be because he was a very effective hermit...

[@annewaterfield7343]

Double chambered ice houses are exceedingly rare in the UK - there certainly isn't another one in Wales, to my knowledge. In fact, only the one at Colzium House, Glasgow, springs to mind as one still extant. The Pontypool one has been restored and I believe used to have a thatched roof for more insulation.

[@littleknowledgepodcast674]

Thank you, Anne! That's very interesting. I'll see what I can find out about the Colzium House ice house and see if there are any similarities in design. It's such an odd structure, in such a peculiar situation. I'll post a link if I find anything. (Goff).

[@garethsmith2002]

John Capel Hanburys Bn 2nd June 1795 Wed Jane Catlin
Jane was My 12ths Great Grandfather's Sister

[@garethsmith2002]

Sorry Jane's Mam's Grandparents were My 12th Great Grandfather's Sister

[@KiwiGraggle]

The history of the local area is amazing, it really is. But that is where any interest stops I am afraid.
Pontypool and the surrounding area is awash with low lives, unemployed, scaghead people who have no respect for anything, certainly no respect for the amazing past of Pontypool and the surrounding area.
Pontypool, one of the richest places in the UK once, now reduced to a hole of unemployed, bad doctors, bad teeth, horrific infrastructure and a lot of people who are lazy and low IQ.
From what it was to what it is now, lol. Amazing. I have no sympathy for you in Wales, you make your own problems you lot do. Not to be trusted and perhaps if you changed your mentality from FURLOUGH and sitting on your backsides, you might actually be able to build an economy again. But as it is, whilst you are a part of the Union, you will always play second fiddle.
That said, I am HQ my tech company in Wales, even after that blow to Pontypool I just mentioned, not all of Wales is as backwards as the valleys and has a lot going for it. My tech company might well become the largest of its kind in the UK within 3 years. So, big employer, wanting to help the Welsh. Word of warning though, dont piss me off anymore with your ways and culture, unacceptable.