Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Blaengwrach Farmhouse
Blaengwrach, Neath Port Talbot, Wales
A Grade II listed building in Cwm yr argoed, Neath, Blaengwrach, Neath Port Talbot, designated on 26 May 1972.
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Domestic
- Date of designation
- 26 May 1972
- Locality
- Cwm yr argoed
- Town
- Neath
- Community
- Blaengwrach
- Unitary authority
- Neath Port Talbot
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 51.72425, -3.63137
- Cadw reference
- 11864
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1636 map "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1636 · Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ... (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1637 · The fourth table of England. Cornub. Devonia, Somerset etc. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1830 · V.3:11-15:XV. Britisches Reich. A. Kon: England. b. Frstenthum Wales: Shire: 37-40 (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1865 · England and Wales. England No. 6. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1898 · 231 Merthyr Tydfil (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
Cadw's description
Location
Remote wooded site near the head of the Neath Valley approx. 1.5km SE of Blaengwrach and Cwmgwrach; close to the site of a disused coal mine. The farm is approached from the east and reached along lanes and farm tracks
History
Early C17 origins - known to have been owned by Morgan (Llen) Llewelyn in 1601, descending through several generations to 1728 when it was owned by Rhys Morgan and tenanted by Rhys Daniel. C19 alterations, modern roof and subsequently fallen into disrepair. Secured after abandonment, inaccessible due to opencast mining. All windows and doors blocked with cement blocks.
Exterior
Single-storey rubble built farmhouse set end on to the slope; formerly limewashed. Metal sheet roof with red brick end chimney stacks. 4-bay front with blocked up windows, one to left of the off-centre entrance and two to the right. C19 lean-to porch, later raised with metal sheet roof; the main doorway within had Tudor dripmould. Upper end wall has one window to right. Rear has added lean-to to right. Lower end has window each floor to left, lower one with slate dripstone, tiny loft window to right and a door in end of lean-to.
Interior
The original plan-form was of a two-unit direct-entry house of some grandeur in that the outer room was heated as well as the hall. Central stairs appeared to be an early introduction although now altered. The main C17 features which have said to have survived are five stop-chamfered beams, quarter-round moulded door surrounds and one, 3-light, diamond mullionded, window. Fireplaces altered; stepped chimney breast to downhill end. 5-bay collar truss roof. Attic floor lost over hall.
Reason for designation
Listed for its special interest as a surviving early C17 vernacular farmhouse.
Nearby in the register
- Agricultural range at Blaengwrach FarmAgriculture and Subsistenceunder 1 mi
- Remains of Venallt IronworksIronworksunder 1 mi
- Limekiln to SE of Maes-Gwyn Lock on Neath CanalIndustrial1 mi
- Bridge over Neath Canal at Maes-gwynTransport1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.