![Afon Mwyro](webphotos/afonmwyro.jpg)
AFON MWYRO
GRID REFERENCE: SN 774650
AREA IN HECTARES: 74.4
Historic Background
In the Medieval Period this area lay within Strata Florida
Abbey’s Pennardd Grange, perhaps as part of the abbey demesne. The
granges were granted to the Earl of Essex on the Dissolution, who sold
them to the Crosswood estate in 1630. In the late 18th century some land
in this area was in the possession of Crosswood, and may have been obtained
by this route. However, John Stedman acquired the Abbey demesne in 1567.
Richard Stedman died intestate in 1746 and the estate passed to the Powells
of Nanteos. Nanteos had considerable holdings here in the 19th century.
It is likely that by the end of the Medieval Period, if not earlier, abbey
granges and demesne were divided into farms, which were leased out on
a commercial basis. The end result of this process is a settlement pattern
similar to that of the present day, as seen on the tithe map of 1845 (Caron
Tithe Map and Apportionment, 1845). By 1845 enclosures had been established
on the valley floors and in pockets around the farmsteads. This system
of small enclosures was to expand during the 19th century to achieve its
present form. Population achieved levels in the early 20th century large
enough to support the construction of a chapel/schoolroom in 1905 (Percival
1998, 520). Since then there has been a general decline in population.
![Afon Mwyro](webphotos/afonmwyro2.jpg)
Description and essential historic landscape
components
This landscape character area comprises the valley floor
and lower valley slopes of the Afon Mwyro, ranging in height from 210m
at its western end to 370m at the edge of enclosed land on the valley
sides. Small enclosures on the valley floor generally give way to unenclosed
moorland/sheep-walk at the break of slope, although in the Tyncwm and
Berthgoed farm area enclosed land runs up and over low spurs. The settlement
pattern is of dispersed farms and a disused chapel located on low spurs
and the lower valley sides. Berthgoed farmhouse is in the typical Georgian
vernacular mid-to-late 19th century style of the region, of rendered stone
with a commercial slate roof. It has large modern agricultural buildings.
There is also a large isolated modern farm building on the valley floor.
Boundaries comprise dry-stone walls with some rubble banks. Hedges, where
present, are derelict, and most of the boundaries are supplemented with
wire fences. Improved grazing is present in most of the enclosures on
the valley floor, but tending to rougher pasture on the lower slopes.
Bracken covers some steeper slopes. There are some peaty hollows. Scattered
stands of trees in the vicinity and upstream of the old chapel provide
an impression of a moderately wooded landscape.
Recorded archaeology reflects the decline in population
in this area throughout the 20th century, and consists almost entirely
of deserted cottages and other settlement sites.
To the west this area merges with the enclosed valley
floor. On all other sides there is a distinct boundary between this area
and unenclosed land.
Base map reproduced from the OS map with the permission
of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery
Office, © Crown Copyright 2001.
All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright
and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number: GD272221 |