![Fuches Wen](webphotos/fucheswen.jpg)
FUCHES WEN
GRID REFERENCE: SN 836799
AREA IN HECTARES: 1585
Historic Background
For most of the historical period, the unenclosed character
of this area probably ensured that it was considered Crown land. The only
pre-tithe map of the area, dated to 1819, shows Fuches Wen as unenclosed
sheep-walk. The tithe map shows a similar pattern; a pattern that has
in general persisted to the present day.
![Fuches Wen](webphotos/fucheswen2.jpg)
Description and essential historic landscape
components
This is a large block of undulating upland, mostly consisting
of north- and northwest-facing slopes with a height range of between 300m
at its northern edge and over 500m at its high points. Craggy outcrops
occur on the summits. Traditionally it consists of unenclosed moorland,
with blanket bog at higher levels and peaty deposits in hollows and valleys.
Earth boundary banks are present on the northern lower slopes close to
Dyffryn Castell, but the enclosures formed by these are now largely redundant,
and wire fences divide the area into very large enclosures. Large-scale
land improvement over the past few decades has resulted in the transformation
of much of the lower slopes, and some high level plateaux, into grassland
grazing.
The recorded archaeology of this area consists mainly
of post-Medieval sites. The greater proportion of these comprise deserted
settlements and associated agricultural features such as folds, enclosures,
pens and tracks, indicating a populated, albeit sparsely, upland area
through to the 19th century. Metal mine remains are also present. A greater
time-depth element to the landscape is provided by Bronze Age round barrows.
This is a well defined area. To the northeast and east
is the lower lying enclosed settled land of Dyffryn Castell and Ponterwyd,
while to the south and east are extensive tracts of upland forestry.
![Fuches Wen map](webphotos/fucheswenmap.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 |