Dimlands House and Lodge Llantwit Major

I have mentioned before about Jesse HOOKINS who left Somerset with his wife Alice and their 2 children to become a Coachman for the Crayshaw family in Llantwit Major. 5 other children were born in South Wales between 1904 and 1913 but sadly Alice died early in 1915 leaving Jessie to raise his 7 children alone. They lived in Dimlands Lodge attached to Dimlands House and estate and I was privileged to be able to visit the property at the invitation of the current owner last year.

Dimlands House was built by Rev Robert Nicholl Carne at the end of the 18th Century. As well as being a Rector, Robert was a Magistrate and Deputy Lieutenant of Glamorgan.

Pictures currently on display at the Lodge show the mode of transport favoured by the owners of the house although the photograph is not dated.

The Lodge at Dimlands was built by Robert's son John Whitlock Nicholls Carne FSA, JP, DCL, a Welsh Landowner, Magistrate and Barrister in 1853. It has since been extensively renovated and extended by the present owners.








The scroll on the outside of the tower indicates that it was started on 12 August 1864 and Nicholls Carne's name is included. Inside were quaint rooms for the 9 members of the family of Jesse and Alice to squeeze into.

















Inside the property there are stone steps leading to the first floor. These were believed to be on the outside of the original building possibly as access to the roof but have now been incorporated within the revised accommodation.












My grateful thanks to Ian for allowing me to have a look around together with two of my Family Tree relatives who still live in the area. Earlier in the day I had also had the opportunity of meeting up with a grandaughter of Jesse together with her husband and son who all still live in the vicinity and who were able to provide more insight into those who at one time lived at Dimlands Lodge.