![Cwm Gwyddyl](webphotos/cwmgwyddyl.jpg)
CWM GWYDDYL
GRID REFERENCE: SN 740693
AREA IN HECTARES: 596.9
Historic Background
In the Medieval Period this area lay within Strata Florida
Abbey’s Mefenydd Grange. In common with other granges, it is likely
that by the end of the Medieval Period Mefenydd was split into individual
farms that were leased out on a commercial basis. This is the possible
origin of the farms in this area. On the Dissolution Strata Florida’s
lands were granted to the Earl of Essex. In 1630, the Crosswood estate
purchased most of them. This area appears to have been marginal and dynamic
and historical maps confirm the dynamic nature of the landscape (Gwnnws
Tithe Map and Apportionment, 1847; NLW Crosswood Vol 1, 66, 68; NLW Crosswood
334; NLW Crosswood 340; NLW Morgan Richardson Deposit No 4 & 5). Late
18th and early 19th century estate maps show a variety of landscape types.
In the south the area Bryn Capel is shown unenclosed, and that around
Llethr Farm is shown as several small fields in unenclosed sheep-walk;
Ysguboriau and Tynpontpren are similarly depicted. Generally in this period
the area is one of scattered farms with small fields or paddocks set in
unenclosed land. By the tithe survey (Gwnnws 1847) there had been enclosure
of some of the sheep-walks and sub-division of larger fields. This process
seems to have continued throughout the 19th century. In the 20th century
the agricultural system went into decline, with the abandonment of farms
and cottages. Many fields have been allowed to revert to rough pasture.
Description and essential historic landscape
components
This area consists of an extensive wide, open valley
that now contains a misfit stream. It ranges in height from 200m at the
southern and northern ends to 340m on the eastern flanks. The appearance
of a homogeneous area of unenclosed rough grazing and moorland, interspersed
with improved pasture belies a complex landscape history. All of this
area was formerly enclosed. The field size varies greatly from small to
large, the smaller enclosures usually closer to farmsteads. The types
of boundaries vary, but the most common type is the earth bank. Stone-faced
banks and occasional dry-stone walls are also present. Hedges either no
longer exist or are very derelict and are supplemented with wire fences.
Very occasionally boundaries are formed by ditches. Many fields have either
been merged to form larger units, or are no longer in use. The overall
impression of this area is of very rough grazing, tending towards moorland
with peaty deposits in hollows. There are, however, considerable blocks
of improved grazing. These tend to be located where the field system has
been maintained. The settlement pattern is of dispersed farmsteads and
cottages, including several deserted sites. Several small conifer plantations
are scattered across the landscape, but apart from these the area is essentially
treeless. Remains of the metal mining industry are scattered across the
eastern part of the area, but these are minor in comparison with the remains
in the neighbouring area to the east.
Older buildings probably date to the mid-to- late 19th
century and are built of stone which is typically cement rendered on houses
and left bare on outbuildings. Houses are of two storeys in the regional
Georgian vernacular style –gable end chimneys, central front door,
two windows either side of the door and one above. Stronger vernacular
traits such as low eaves, an asymmetrical floor plan, small windows and
one chimney larger than the other are present on some houses. Some farmhouses
have been rebuilt/renovated or replaced by modern houses or bungalows.
Nineteenth century farm outbuildings are generally small and of one or
two ranges, but there are a couple or larger examples on some farms. The
range of farms as indicated by their buildings is not great, but different
scales are present as evidenced by smaller farms having a single range
of outbuildings attached to and in-line with the house, through to larger
farms with their buildings set more formally around a yard. Most working
farms have small modern steel and concrete agricultural buildings, but
there are a couple of examples of very large modern buildings. There are
several deserted cottages, houses and cottages in this landscape.
In addition to abandoned cottages and the remains of
the metal mining industry, two Bronze Age standing stones represent the
recorded archaeology of this area. These provide a time-depth to the landscape.
The borders of this area are not particularly well defined
to the east and west, with the pattern of large enclosures and poor quality
land replicated in these neighbouring areas. To the north and south and
southwest there is some better definition where blocks of improved pasture
and smaller enclosures are found.
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 |