Abernant Farm Kemeys Inferior
A proud history
Today Abernant farmhouse stands ruined with most of its lands long since redeveloped for a golf course and bypass, but for more than 300 years Abernant was a thriving farm, one of the largest in the area. Abernant is usually classified as part of Caerleon, but is really situated in Kemeys Inferior, on the former high road from Newport to Chepstow.
Kemeys Inferior is a hamlet and ancient parish in Monmouthshire, located three miles north-east of Caerleon and 6½ miles south-west of Usk. The part of the parish nearest the River Usk forms part of the Usk Hundred while the rest forms part of the Caldicot Hundred. The parish is most famous as the location of an 18th-century folly built in 1712 by local landowner George Kemeys. It was converted into a luxury home in 2007 and featured on TV property show Grand Designs.
A 21st century survey of Abernant Farm identified the likely age of the property. It described the farmhouse as being early 18th century, ‘L’ shaped in design, and containing 2 1/2 floors. It also identified a 16th century stone core to the building. The farm itself included a ‘U’ shape range of 18th and 19th century stone outbuildings, alongside more recent additions.
We also found a published account of the farm from 1846. It described Abernant Farm as containing stables, barns, outbuildings, yards, gardens, and various appurtenances. Also mentioned was Beech Tree Ground, The Thole, The Dingle and Cock Short, amongst many others. In all the 273 acres was available to rent for £410 p.a. The tenant at this time was Matthew Cope, and the farm owned by the Kemeys Estate. The census shows Matthew was still at Abernant in 1851 with his wife and family.
Abernant Farm became home to the Skinners In the 1850s, and three generations of the family tenanted the farm until they left for Langstone in 1941. John Skinner from Fife was first, followed by his son James Skinner, and finally his grandson Donald Skinner.
Surviving newspaper reports suggest that the Skinner family were hardworking and successful farmers. John won numerous prizes for cattle and poultry breeding. Whilst his 17-year-old daughter Margaret won awards for her ducks and geese. An advert in the Monmouthshire Merlin showed that John was also breeding first class horses at Abernant Farm, including Young Dalesman.
In 1868 the Monmouthshire Merlin reported on a ploughing contest at Abernant. It was organised by the “much esteemed agriculturist” Mr John Skinner. The report talked of influential men being drawn to watch the contest and the huge level of local interest in the event. Abernant won two prizes in the ‘swing plough’ category.
In 1893 John Skinner left Abernant Farm and sold his stock, leaving his son James to take the reins. The 1901 census recorded James as head of household and employer. James was a leading member of the local Farmers Union and an innovative farmer. Under his stewardship the farm looked to diversify and won awards for the quality of cheese. When James died in 1927 his son Donald Skinner became the third Skinner to run the farm.
In the 1939 census Donald was listed as Master Farmer at Abernant. He ran the farm with his wife Catherine and was assisted by his brother Ray, a Butcher, and Charles Duffield, a Cowman. The operation was now much smaller in scale and Donald spent time working on land away from Abernant. In 1940 they left the farm, ending more than 80 years of the Skinner family at Abernant. Donald and Catherine later settled in Langstone.
Following the departure of the Skinners from Abernant Farm the Haines family moved in. Adverts seeking farm workers appeared in June of 1940. The freehold of the farm was sold at auction in 1943, following the death of the landowner John Williams Esq. The Land Registry shows the Haines family purchased it, and that Ronald and Enid Haines owned the farm for 60 years until 2003. In the 1970s, part of the land was used for the construction of the A449.
During development of the land in the 1990s and subsequent excavations around the house, significant Roman finds were made. These included a Roman kiln recorded in 1996, followed by a stone cist and nine Roman graves behind the farm buildings.
In 2003 Abernant Farm and all remaining land was purchased by the Celtic Manor to make way for a new golf course. The price paid was £45 million. The farmhouse was left empty, whilst the land was transformed into ‘The Twenty Ten’ course. The house soon became derelict.
In 2005, with the farm facing possible demolition, the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales commissioned a survey of the ruined farm as it was deemed to be historically significant. Conducted by Geoff Ward, it included 19 haunting images of the neglected farm buildings.
As of 2024 Abernant Farmhouse and outbuildings still stand and are accessible to the public. However, after being abandoned for 20 years and subject to weather, vandalism, and urban exploring, nature is slowly reclaiming the land as its own and the buildings in risk of colapse.
We have been fortunate to visit the farm on several occasions, and despite the awful condition of the buildings, it retains a unique almost peaceful feeling. Our mum and grandfather were both born here, and visiting it now creates a powerful sense of connection. Who knows what the future will hold for Abernant Farm in Kemeys Inferior, but for now it is just a short walk up a steep farm track situated on Bulmore Road.
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