Institute for the Study of Welsh Estates / Sefydliad Ymchwil Ystadau Cymru

31/08/2026

28/08/2026

Mansion & Garden Tours ☀️ Teithiau Plasty a Gardd

Where history and nature unfold side by side. Discover the story of the Insole family, from modest beginnings to Neo-Gothic grandeur, and from decline to revival. Insole Court, and it's grounds, has been shaped by generations and moments of resilience.

Our tours offer a chance to explore this special place as the gardens are in full bloom and the mansion shines in the summer sun.

Mansion & Garden Tours are the perfect way to discover more about the history and beauty of Insole Court.

Tickets cost £6, £5 concession or £3 for children aged 5 to 17. Children under 5 go FREE. 🌿So don't wait, book now and spend a morning with us 👉 https://insolecourt.org/events/

All proceeds support Insole Court for future generations. Diolch.

27/08/2026

25/08/2026

22/08/2026

21/08/2026

20/08/2026

RHEOLA HOUSE: On this page, we keep our coverage to the interesting historical facts and personalities of Neath and district.

We are generally positive in our approach, because there is much to value and be proud of. Understandably, many people, particularly those in the beautiful Vale of Neath between Resolven and Glynneath, would be feeling upset and, indeed, angry at the news of the fire at Rheola House. Please leave it to the authorities to investigate the circumstances of the fire.

What we will do, however is have a brief look at the history of the house. The house was built between 1812 and 1814 for John Edwards, and was designed by the celebrated architect John Nash. Nash and Edwards were cousins. Drawings for Rheola were found in Nash’s office and the Edwards family returned to Nash when they were looking to rebuild Rheola farmhouse.

John Edwards Vaughan acted as solicitor to John Nash in his business dealings. In Nash’s later career he was responsible for the design of many important areas of London, including the rebuilding of Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus in collaboration with others. His best-known solo designs are the Royal Pavilion Brighton, Marble Arch and work on Buckingham Palace.

The house passed by inheritance to members of the Edwards, Vaughan and Lee families until it was purchased by British Aluminium.

The house is Grade II*-listed and the parkland is designated Grade II in the Cadw Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.

Rheola House stood as what was probably the last surviving major gentry house in the Vale of Neath. Very few of our ancestors will have lived in houses like this, but their survival added historical interest and variety to the Vale.

As a small voluntary organisation, all that we can draw out of this is to be even more determined to advocate the protection of our remaining heritage sites, such as the Ivy Tower, the Aberdulais Aqueduct or the blast furnaces of the Neath Abbey Ironworks.

Below is Thomas Hornor's 1817 painting "Rheola, Morning" - giving an scene of how the house once shone at the height of its grandeur. This forms part of his portfolio of paintings of the Vale of Neath.

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💻To view more local history and see what the Neath Antiquarian Society is all about, click here: https://bit.ly/47H4lie

We are open at Neath Mechanics' Institute every Monday and Thursday, 09:30 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:45.