![TY’N-Y-CASTELL](webphotos/tynycastell.jpg)
TY’N-Y-CASTELL
GRID REFERENCE: SN 725773
AREA IN HECTARES: 26.6
Historic Background
As with surrounding landscape areas the early history
of this area has not been researched, but by the 18th century it was in
the possession of the Nanteos estate. An estate map of 1819 (NLW Vol 45,
31), showing Tn’n-y-castell and Faen Grach, depicts a landscape
of small fields with some intermixing of land. This latter piece of evidence
is of interest and suggests that the landscape may have evolved from a
sub-divided, or open, field system; a system that was in the final stages
of consolidation and enclosure in the early 19th century. Apart from the
consolidation of intermixed lands, this landscape has not changed dramatically
since the survey for the estate map.
Description and essential historic landscape
components
This small landscape area lies in a sheltered hollow
on the edge of a plateau at c. 250m above the valley of the Afon Rheidol.
It is characterised by a system of small irregular fields of improved
pasture that are divided by earth banks and hedges. Unlike neighbouring
landscape areas the hedges in this area are intact, and though overgrown
they are still stock-proof when augmented by wire fences. The hedges,
together with occasional hedgerow trees and small stands of deciduous
woodland, lend a wooded appearance to the landscape that contrasts with
areas to the south.
A fairly dense grouping of farms and other houses characterise
the settlement pattern. Cement rendered stone with slate roofs are the
traditional building materials. Most houses 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. Some houses have been extensively
modernised and extended or rebuilt. There is also at least one modern
house and an early 20th century corrugated iron (tin) cottage. Farms have
two to three ranges of stone-built outbuildings and small modern agricultural
buildings.
A disused stone quarry lies in this area.
This is a distinct historic landscape area, and is in
sharp contrast with areas to the south, which are generally treeless and
bereft of hedges. To the north lies the steep and heavily wooded valley
side of the Rheidol.
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 |