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![PWLLPEIRAN](webphotos/pwllpeiran.jpg)
PWLLPEIRAN
GRID REFERENCE: SN 783740
AREA IN HECTARES: 277.1
Historic Background
In the Medieval Period this area formed part of Strata
Florida Abbey’s Cwmystwyth Grange (Williams 1990). By at least the
later Middle Ages the grange had been divided into farms that were leased
out and farmed on a commercial basis. A document of 1545-50 (Morgan 1991)
records within this area the farms of Pwllpeiran and Milwyn. By 1590,
the Herbert family had acquired most of the land in the area, and this
land passed to the Johnes family in 1704. Thomas Johnes expanded his holdings
in the late 18th century by exchange, in particular with land held by
Crosswood, to build an estate that would compose most of the land in the
area. Johnes was an enthusiastic land improver and developer of new farming
techniques; undoubtedly some field boundaries and buildings are the result
of his efforts. However, late 18th and early 19th century maps (NLW Crosswood
Deeds No 5, Ser IV, Vol 1, 33, 35, 36, 73, 75; NLW R.M. A64) indicate
that field and settlement patterns were very similar to that of today,
allowing for the disappearance of some farms, the creation of others and
the sub-division of some enclosures. When the settlement pattern and field
system originated is uncertain, but they may be of Medieval date or earlier.
Experiments in increasing the productivity of upland grazing were undertaken
here in the 1930s (Colyer 1982, 100-3), and in the mid 1950s several farms
were purchased by MAFF and the Forestry Commission with the aim of improving
the hill economy; this resulted in 1955 in the establishment of the Pwllpeiran
Experimental Husbandry Farm (Wildig 1994). The core of this farm lies
in this area, though much of its upland grazing lies in neighbouring landscape
areas. The farm has been responsible for much land improvement and the
development of new techniques of planting and maintaining hedges. Peiran
mill, belonging to the Medieval Grange of Cwmystwyth lies in this area.
The mill continued in use until the late 18th century (Macve 1998). Trial
levels for lead were dug in the mid 19th century, but these were unsuccessful
(Bick 1974, 23). The natural route-way of the Ystwyth valley in which
this area lies was emphasised in 1770 when a turnpike road was constructed.
This road, the present B4574, provided the main connection between north
Ceredigion and eastern Wales and England, until the completion of a new
turnpike road through Ponterwyd in 1812 (Lewis 1955, 42-45). Included
in this area is Cwmystwyth village, with its chapels and school. The history
of the village is uncertain, but it is probably of 18th and 19th century
origin, and was reliant on the metal mining industry.
![PWLLPEIRAN](webphotos/pwllpeiran2.jpg)
Description and essential historic landscape
components
This large and complex area lies across the valley of
the Ystwyth. It ranges in height from 180m on the valley floor to a maximum
of 380m on the valley sides. Improved grazing land covers the majority
of the farmed land, though rougher pasture is present at higher levels
and on steep slopes. Fields are small and irregular. A variety of boundary
types divide the fields. The most common type is the earth bank topped
by hedges. Hedges on Pwllpeiran farm are generally well maintained, elsewhere
their condition is variable; many are neglected and becoming overgrown
- in some cases almost grown into tress - and on higher ground they have
disappeared. Wire fences supplement most hedges. Dry-stone walls with
capstones set at 45 degrees are also present - these are the work of Thomas
Johnes - as are mortared walls alongside some roads. The dry-stone walls
are in poor condition, but the mortared walls are in better condition.
Small stands of broadleaf trees and small conifer plantations lie on valley
sides. These together with the overgrown hedges lend a wooded appearance
to parts of the area.
The settlement pattern is of dispersed farms and cottages,
which includes Pwllpeiran Experimental Husbandry Farm with its complex
of modern farm buildings and offices, plus a loose nucleation of industrial
dwellings at Cwmystwyth. Older buildings probably date to the mid-to-
late 19th century and are built of stone, which is cement rendered, left
bare or painted on houses, and left bare on farm outbuildings. Houses
are of two storeys in the regional Georgian vernacular style – gable
end chimneys, central front door, and two windows either side of the door
and one above. Some houses have strong vernacular traits whilst others
are firmly in the Georgian tradition. An estate influence is detectable
on some houses. Nineteenth century farm outbuildings are generally of
two or three small ranges, but there are a couple or larger examples on
some farms. Most working farms have small modern steel and concrete agricultural
buildings, but there are a couple of examples of very large modern buildings.
A lodge to the Hafod estate as well as other estate influenced buildings
lie at Cwmystwyth. However, the main building type here is the worker
house. These are either mid-to-late 19th century terraced vernacular cottages
or are later 19th century houses in the Georgian vernacular style. There
are several deserted cottages and houses in this landscape. Apart from
Pwllpeiran farm, there is very little modern development.
Recorded archaeology is confined to metal mining remains
and deserted cottages and farmsteads.
The boundaries of this area to the north where it edges
forestry, and to the south and west against unenclosed land are well defined,
but less so to the east where it merges with a squatter settlement. The
core area of the Hafod estate to the southwest historically merged with
this area, but its now heavily forested character provides a clear boundary
line.
![PWLLPEIRAN MAP](webphotos/pwllpeiranmap.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 |