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![Daren](webphotos/daren.jpg)
DAREN
GRID REFERENCE: SN 681829
AREA IN HECTARES: 428.6
Historic Background
The early history of this area is not known. It did
not lie within a monastic grange, as did the majority of neighbouring
land. By at least the 18th century, and probably considerably earlier,
the Gogerddan, Powis Castle and Court Grange estates had acquired much
of the land. It is likely that for several centuries rough, unenclosed
grazing characterised this area, though Daren Farm is perhaps of some
antiquity. Late 18th century estate maps (NLW Gogerddan 68, 67; Powis
Castle 164; Scott Archer 20; Vol 37, 64; R.M. 108) depict almost all of
this area as unenclosed. The main exception is Daren Farm, but even here
the dwelling sits in a large block of unenclosed sheep-walk. An interesting
map is that of 1788 (NLW R.M. 108), wherein the open ridge of this area
has been annotated by a later hand, dividing it into a series of large,
regular enclosures and new farms. The date of this alteration is not certain,
but it had occurred by the tithe survey of 1845 when the whole of this
area had been enclosed and several new farms established. Important elements
of this landscape are the remains of the metal (mainly lead) mining industry.
Daren is an ancient mine, perhaps of Roman origin. It was worked in the
17th century, and though production ceased for almost a century, it was
reopened and worked in the 18th and 19th centuries. Cwm Daren and Twll
y Mwyn mines also lie within this area. Though not as ancient as Daren,
they were worked from the 17th century with production at the latter only
ceasing in the 1920s (Bick 1988, 10-16). The small settlement of Daren
was established to serve the lead mines in the 19th century.
![Daren](webphotos/daren2.jpg)
Description and essential historic landscape
components
This area encompasses the high points and flanks of
two rounded ridges: Daren and Banc Cwmerfyn. 342m is the highest point,
with the flanks at the western end descending to approximately 100m. There
are rocky outcrops on the summits. Apart from very steep slopes, which
are under rough grazing or bracken, and some peaty and rushy hollows,
all farmland consists of improved grazing. There are forestry plantations
and small stands of deciduous woodland on very steep slopes, but otherwise
this is essentially a treeless landscape. The area has been divided into
a series of large fields by banks of earth and stone. These banks were
formerly topped with hedges, but apart from at the lowest levels and close
to farms all hedges have gone, and where they do survive they are overgrown
and derelict. Wire fences now provide stock-proof boundaries, and divide
the area into very large enclosures. The overall appearance is of an unenclosed
landscape of improved grazing.
The settlement pattern is of dispersed hill farms. Local
stone is the traditional building material with slate (probably north
Wales slate) used for roofs. Walls are usually cement rendered or left
bare on houses and bare on traditional farm buildings. Older farmhouses/houses
that almost all date to the mid-to-late 19th century, are relatively small,
of two storeys and in the typical Georgian vernacular style – gable
end chimneys, central front door, and two windows either side of the door
and one above. Several new/rebuilt farmhouses have replaced older buildings.
Stone-built farm outbuildings are generally confined to one or two small
ranges. Some farms are not now working and outbuildings are not in use
or have been demolished. Working farms have small ranges of modern steel
and concrete agricultural buildings. The remains of deserted farmsteads
or cottages, surrounded by enclosures defined by low, broken-down stonewalls
are scattered across the landscape. A group of 19th century worker houses
lies at Banc-y-Daren, which also includs a short terrace, detached houses,
and several abandoned/ruined dwellings. Evidence of the former metal mining
industry is a prominent component of the landscape, with tips, shafts
open-casts and other features following the lead vein from the its high
point at Daren.
![Daren](webphotos/daren3.jpg)
The remains of the metal mining industry dominate the
archaeological record. Workings cut across Daren Iron Age hillfort, an
important element in the landscape. It is prominent on account of its
location on the summit of a ridge at 290m. Further time-depth to the landscape
is provided by three Bronze Age standing stones and a Bronze Age round
barrow. A place-name indicates the possible location of a further standing
stone.
This is a distinct landscape bounded by areas that have
quite different characteristics. To the east lies unenclosed upland and
forestry, whereas elsewhere lower-lying enclosed land exists, sometimes
containing metal mine workings.
![Daren map](webphotos/darenmap.jpg)
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 |