Clemenstone

Clemenstone or Clemenston is a hamlet located in the western part of the Vale of Glamorgan, southeast Wales, southeast of Bridgend. It contains the Clemenstone Estate and House, long-time seat of the Curre family, and a Sports Academy. Clemenstone Meadows are a Site of Special Scientific Interest .GeographyIn the mid 19th century, Clemenstone consisted of the whole of the parish of St. Andrew Minor, which was exempt from parochial rates; as well as other adjoining lands in the parishes of Wick and Llandow that lay within a ring fence. These comprised approximately 372 acres of arable and pasture land. The estate was in the centre of hunting country and was well stocked with game. It was situated on the south edge of the Glamorganshire mineral basin and in close proximity to the South Wales Railway, which had the advantage of a ready market for agricultural produce, as well as for a supply of good and cheap coal.In present day, it lies on the road to Llandow in the east, northeast of Wick, across the B4265 road. The hamlet is approached along the road from Wick in a small lane off to the right. The central part of the hamlet is S-shaped with bends in the road. Immediately after the hamlet after approaching from the west is a lane to the left going north which leads to Clemenstone House at the bottom of a hill. The lane continues and then rejoins the main road from Wick north of the first turn off to Clemenstone. Clemenstone Brook is nearby.HistoryClemenstone was the seat of several high sheriffs of Glamorganshire including John Curre who was known to be occupying the estate in Clemenstone in 1712 and William Curre in 1766, who was also an occupant of Itton Court. From the 1830s, it was known to be occupied by a Humphrey Turberville, who inherited the estate from his brother. After the 1830 marriage of Richard Franklen to Isabella Catherine Talbot, Franklen bought the Clemenstone estate.