![PANTYFEDWEN AND CROFFTAU](webphotos/pantyfedwencroftau.jpg)
PANTYFEDWEN & CROFFTAU
GRID REFERENCE: SN 745648
AREA IN HECTARES: 325.6
Historic Background
In the Medieval Period this area formed part of Strata
Florida Abbey’s Pennardd Grange. At the dissolution the Earl of
Essex was granted abbey land, the greater portion of which was purchased
by the Crosswood estate in 1630. This area, however, seems to have lain
within the abbey demesne and was acquired by John Stedman in 1567. On
the death of Richard Stedman in 1746, who died intestate, the land passed
to the Nanteos estate. It is likely that the settlement pattern of scattered
farms dates to the Medieval Period and was developed and supported by
later estate owners. Estate maps of the Nanteos estate of 1819 (NLW Vol
45, 59, 64, 65), demonstrate that this area has changed considerably in
the past two centuries. Woodland areas have remained fairly constant,
but the field systems have altered and developed while the number of settlements
has decreased. Talwrn, Crofftau and two further abandoned farms near Crofftau
were shown in 1819 as farmsteads surrounded by a few small enclosures
set in unenclosed sheep-walk or sheep pasture. Some new enclosures had
been created by the time of the tithe survey (Caron Tithe Map and Apportionment,
1845), but the majority of enclosures in this area were laid out post
1845. Dereliction of some landscape components has occurred; former small
enclosures around the two deserted farms have reverted to large enclosures
and some areas of former enclosure have been planted with conifers.
Description and essential historic landscape
components
This is a heavily wooded area on a north-facing valley
side of the upper Teifi and minor valleys of north-flowing tributary streams.
The area varies in height from 190m towards the floor of the Teifi valley
to 350m at its southern limits. Some of the slopes are steep and craggy.
It encompasses a variety of landscape types including field systems of
small to large enclosures, unenclosed land, deciduous woodland and coniferous
plantation. The settlement pattern is one of dispersed farms around which
are systems of small fields with larger enclosures, and small blocks of
unenclosed land further out. The type of field boundary varies considerably;
dry-stone walls are generally found at higher levels and earth banks and
stone-faced earth banks on the lower slopes, though there is much intermixing
of type. Hedges in poor condition are present on some of the banks, particularly
on the lower slopes. Wire fences supplement these historic boundaries.
Improved grazing lies within the fields. Interspersed amongst the woodland
on the steeper slopes is rougher ground, with occasional patches of bracken.
Large tracts of intermixed deciduous and coniferous woodland lie on the
north facing slopes above Strata Florida Abbey.
There are few buildings in this area. Older structures
are built of local stone. One farmhouse is in the typical mid-to-late
19th century Georgian vernacular style, relatively small, of two storeys,
with gable end chimneys, central front door, and two windows either side
of the door and one above. Another house has older, more vernacular traits.
A bungalow has been recently constructed in the area. A substantial range
of two storey stone-built outbuildings is noted at one farm. There are
few modern agricultural buildings.
Apart from the cottages mentioned above, the recorded
archaeology consists of the remains of a post-Medieval metal mine, a Bronze
Age round barrow and a possible Bronze Age standing stone.
To the south a large tract of forestry plantation bounds
this area. To the north and west the area’s borders are less well
defined where this area merges with enclosed land.
![PANTYFEDWEN AND CROFFTAU MAP](webphotos/pantyfedwencrofftaumap.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 |