Colby Lodge
Lt. Col. John Colby of Ffynonne (Boncath) purchased 123 acres of land including Redlangwig (sic) 13 acres, in 1787, and subsequently built Colby Lodge (the date given is 1803). The Lodge has features copied from some of the designs at Ffynonne - in the building of which, the architect John Nash had a hand in 1792-9.
Colby Lodge
In 1855 the mansion and a slightly increased estate were sold by the Colbys. At a sale in 1873 the purchaser was Samuel Kay who later bought other property. Samuel Kay's daughter, Gladys 1882-1964, and her husband, Colonel J.C.H. Crosland were primarily responsible for the development of the west wood or 'plantation'. The estate was inherited by Mrs. Crosland's niece, Miss Elidyr Florence Dixon Mason, who sold the house, meadow and east wood to I.O. and Pamela Chance. On Miss Mason's death in 1979 her residual land, 880 acres, was given to the National Trust. The Lodge with its land was given to the National Trust by Mr and Mrs Chance. Extensive woodlands and meadows were opened to the public in 1989 and now attract more than 25,000 visitors each year.
