ST JULIEN'S (JULIAN'S)
Source:
"An Historical Tour In Monmouthshire"
by William Coxe, 1801
Illustration by Sir R C Hoare

Text:
From Caerleon a walk leads through hanging woods and over fertile meadows to St. Julian's, a place once remarkable for the residence of the celebrated lord Herbert of Cherbury; it is situated nearly midway between Caerleon and Newport, on the banks of the Usk. The building, now converted into a farm house, has been lately much reduced from its original size: part of the south front has been modernised, part remains in its former state; and the whole presents a motley combination, which, at the same expence, might have preserved the venerable appearance of the old mansion, and the comforts of a modern house. The ancient gothic porch, which still forms the entrance, is likely to be soon destroyed, according to the plan adopted in the present alterations. The north front, which has been permitted to retain its antique appearance, is a picturesque object, backed by a wooded eminence, and overhanging the abrupt banks of the Usk.

The inside has some remains of former magnificence, particularly in the staircase, and several gothic doorways Two apartments retain their ancient dimensions, but were about to be converted into smaller rooms: the lower apartment was 36 feet in length, 20 broad, and 17 high; the upper 45 by 20, and of the same height; against the walls are the remains of slender pillars of the gothic style.

Near the house is an old barn of small dimensions, which was once part of the chapel of St. Julius, from whom the place derived its appellation; on the south wall are the remains of an arched entrance, which is now half filled up; the east and west windows may be traced, and a small gothic doorway to the weft, still remains in its original state. According to an ancient tradition, this chapel and mansion were once included within the town of Caerleon.

View of Back of House

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