History in Structure

Gatehouse to Great Porthamel

A Grade I Listed Building in Talgarth, Powys

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Coordinates

Latitude: 52.0088 / 52°0'31"N

Longitude: -3.2259 / 3°13'33"W

OS Eastings: 315953

OS Northings: 235191

OS Grid: SO159351

Mapcode National: GBR YX.HLFB

Mapcode Global: VH6BP.1RGY

Plus Code: 9C4R2Q5F+GJ

Entry Name: Gatehouse to Great Porthamel

Listing Date: 28 September 1961

Last Amended: 14 August 1995

Grade: I

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 6641

Building Class: Domestic

Also known as: Gatehouse to Great Porth-amel (formerly listed at Gateway at Porthamel Farmhouse) A4078 (NW Side),

ID on this website: 300006641

Location: Located axially on the approach to Great Porthamel farmhouse, below the NW side of the main road from Talgarth to Hay.

County: Powys

Community: Talgarth

Community: Talgarth

Traditional County: Brecknockshire

Tagged with: Gatehouse

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Bronllys

History

Gatehouse to the major medieval manor house of the area, the Vaughan family seat, and providing access through what Leland described as 'a strong wall embatteled' enclosing a precinct around the the seat of the Vaughan family, which had been largely demolished by the early C19.

Exterior

Two storey gatehouse, late C15, red sandstone with some lighter coloured stone, stone slate roof. Wide 4-centred carriage arches, similar both at front and back, with hood moulding, the outer arch having a segmental inner arch to permit the closing of gates. Ashlar sides show scars for precinct wall with wall walk and parapet, which remained as late as 1911. Large window from stair on N side, behind wall. Upper floor has 2-light windows with hood moulds. Crenellated parapet, stepping up to accommodate head of stair in NE corner. Pyramidal roof behind C19 timber gates. Carved gargoyles.

Scheduled Ancient Monument No. B47.

Interior

Within the through carriageway, the walls are rendered and the vault carried on ribs springing from stilted round-moulded corbels, the ribs having an ogee and hollow chamfer. Chamfered door to stair in N wall, rising past a large window to the first floor chamber. Chamber has 2-light windows in square heads, inset, the spandrels with outer casement mouldings. Original ferrumenta but no glazing line. A fireplace within a depressed arch set in a chimney breast slightly forward of the S wall, with a relieving arch over. Wall stair continues to the slabbed wall walk.

Reasons for Listing

Listed I as a rare survival of a medieval domestic gatehouse, being one of only 3 in Powys, and one including stonemasonry of the highest quality.

External Links

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

Other nearby listed buildings

  • II* Great Porthamel Farmhouse
    Located below the scarp edge of the valley, facing S on the access of its medieval gatehouse.
  • II Farm-building at Porthamel Farm
    Located W of the gatehouse and SW of the farmhouse, forming the N side of the early farmyard at Porthamel.
  • II Milestone
    Located on the verge of the main road from Talgarth to Hay-on-Wye, near the turning to Great Porth-aml.
  • II* Bronllys Castle House (including Castle Cottage).
    Located within the inner bailey of Bronllys Castle, NNW of the motte.
  • I Keep at Bronllys Castle
    Located strategically near the crossing of the Llynfi River, perched on a motte approximately 6m high
  • II* Workshop and gallery at Bronllys Castle House
    Located to the SW of Bronllys Castle House, backing on to the turn of the former inner bailey of the castle, and forming the W side of the front lawns of the house.
  • II Milestone
    Milestone opposite Ty Arfon.
  • II The Elms
    Located off a driveway off Bronllys Road, behind a front orchard garden, and backing on to the newly cut Hay Road.

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