History

Early Medieval site, formerly part-moated. Of several periods, the primary block, now used for storage, is a late Medieval 2-unit, 3-bay open hall, probably last quarter C15. This was sub-divided and provided with a lateral chimney in the second half C16. During these alterations the wall plate to the chimney wall was removed during rebuilding. The retained arched-braced central hall truss had therefore to be built-up on the chimney side to compensate for the lacking wall plate. This N side was further supported by a decorative wall post carried on a stone corbel, thereby creating a false hammerbeam. During this intervention alterations were also made to the dais partition screen which does not relate comfortably with its associated truss in its present form. Long used as a byre/storage, the lateral chimney was removed in the later C19 when the W gable-end was also partly rebuilt.

The present domestic range, attached at right-angles with the hall block, is probably a late C17 addition, though this was substantally altered in the later C19 and all diagnostic detail from this phase has been lost or obscured.

Exterior

The primary range is a tall gabled block of rubble with a renewed medium/steep pitched roof; it is partly built onto rock. The N side has an entrance to the L with boarded door. Central entrance with stable doors in the position formerly occupied by the lateral chimney, with evidence of a probable primary entrance to R provided by disturbed masonry in this position. Blocked opening to the rear (S side). Upper window with boarded shutter to W gable and beneath a blocked C16 (?) one; this gable repaired C19. Attached to the E gable, a single-storey cart-house lean-to of rubble and slate, probably later C18. Depressed-arched cart entrance to N with C20 doors; square unglazed light above. C19 Ty bach extension to E.

The later cross-range has a third-quarter C19 appearence. Rubble and slate construction as before with a boulder plinth to the S gable end. Plain end chimneys with simple capping and weather-coursing. Near-symmetrical main (E) front with off-centre entrance (to L) with boarded door and door-light. Flanking 6-pane sash windows and three 4-pane sashes to the first floor, that to the centre smaller. Further entrance and similar flanking windows to rear.

Interior

3-bay primary range with the 2 western bays forming the original open hall. This with chamfered arched-braced collar truss, the S side of which is supported on a later corbelled wall post (see above). Original round-arched entrance to the N wall in the NE corner; large oak lintel. Plain framed truss at former dais end (between bays 1 and 2) with collar, tie-beam and queen struts, and full-length wall posts. Post-and-panel screen with later double-ogee-headed openings with boarded doors; that to the R is detached and the door head is partly missing. That to the L retains its crude latch mechanism and has inner oak hinge blocks; early graffiti and some decorative studding to the door. Plain gable-end collar and tie beam trusses; chamfered trenched purlins to N side though curiously, no evidence of windbraces. The S side has the gable wall and connecting roof section of the cross-wing added above the wall plate. The 2 outer bays retain later C16 flooring with wide stopped-chamfered beams and similar joists; those to the central bay have been removed. Access to this through an entrance created in the former fireplace; a surviving section of the large chamfered bressummer now forms the door lintel. Early flagged floor (much worn) to hall with a surviving section of beaten earth and mortar to the E floor area. Rough cobbled floor to secondary room beyond the partition.

Plain C19 interiors to the later range.

Reasons for Listing

Included at Grade II* as a late Medieval hall with good survivinglater C16 detail.

Reference: P. Smith, Houses of the Welsh Countryside, 1988, figs.90b & 95.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Wikidata Q17743969

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  A Buying and Owning a Listed Building: A Brief Guide
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects by Harwood, Richard (2012) Paperback
• 
  Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living
• 
  England's Post-War Listed Buildings
• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability