Porth-gwibedyn

Location

Located on the first terrace above the Severn valley, 1.5km SE of Caersws.

History

The surviving structure of the farmhouse is C15 in origin, with the open hall floored and main axial stack inserted, in the C17. The 3-unit building was extended by a large service room added to the rear, probably in the C18, and the house was further extended by a one bay dairy beyond the inner room in the C19, at which time the external timber framed walls were replaced with brick. The property was inherited by the Revd John Davies JP (1770 - 1853), a prominent local worthy. Earlier the curious name was spelt Porth-y-gwebethin.

Exterior

Tyrolean-rendered brickwork, with a slate roof. Two storeys, the main door, boarded, within a small open porch, opening into the former open hall. uPVC windows.

Interior

The central hall, much reduced by the introduction of the stack, is defined by cruck trusses, the upper truss, now obscured by the stack, having arch braces and cusped raking struts above the collar, and yoke apex, notched to carry the ridge. Post and panel partition with door openings each end, separates off the inner room(s), raised in level, at the S end, which also has a cruck truss. The hall has twin chamfered spine beams, and fire lintel, the cheeks of the fireplace rebuilt. The parlour, behind the stack, has joists with decorative longitudinal scribed grooves. The rear wing contains a dog leg stair, and formerly had a bake oven and well.

Reason for designation

Included as a house of special interest for the survival of sub-medieval fabric internally.