Ty Ucha

Cadw's description

Location

Located on a sloping site some 1.5km N of Llannefydd village and 0.5 km S of Pont-y-Ddol; set back from and above the lane from the former to the latter, to the W.

History

Sub-medieval storeyed house probably of the late C16 or early C17, with early-mid C19 addition. The latter incorporates an earlier fireplace, contemporary with the main block and this, together with the clear evidence of a former adjoining range to the front, suggests that the present house is the surviving part (probably a parlour wing) of what was originally a larger complex.

Exterior

L-shaped house with a rectangular two-and-a-half storey primary range and a lower wing adjoining at right-angles to the E. Of rubble construction, whitened to the farmyard-facing sides, with slate roof; double-curved stone kneelers to primary gables (the parapets are lost), and curved stone eaves band. The primary entrance is on the SE gable. This is a Tudor-arched ovolo-moulded stone entrance with recessed C20 boarded door. To the L is a tripartite late C19 wooden window with 6 panes to each section. This replaces an original mullioned window in this opening; wide segmental relieving arch above, with rough-dressed voussoirs. Similar window to first floor, again with relieving arch; above, a former 3-light mullioned window to the gable apex, the right-hand stone mullion of which survives. The SW side has a large centrally-placed lateral chimney, with projecting, gabled breast, kneelered and roll-moulded as before; tall rendered stack. Crude tusking on its S corner suggests an addition formerly adjoined at this point. To the R of the chimney is a blocked first-floor window (originally 3-light stone mullioned). Similar former window to the first floor of the NW gable, now with modern glazing; former 2-light window to gable apex, also missing its mullion, and a modern window to the ground floor.

The front (SE) gable has pronounced tusking to its R corner, suggesting a former adjoining range, probably advanced at right-angles to the front. Adjoining to the R, slightly recessed, is a later, probably earlier C19 block, incorporating an earlier chimney. The stack to this, now a gable end chimney, is plain and squat, and of brick. Single modern windows to the front on both floors, the upper, smaller window in an original opening. The gable has an upper boarded entrance or loading bay; a modern catslide lean-to adjoins to the rear.

Adjoining the main block at the NW corner is a low C19 slated cart-house with two plain cart entrances to the farmyard side; plain boarded doors.

Interior

Stopped-chamfered main beams to ground-floor rooms (joists plastered over); original 2-bay roof structure with heavy pegged oak partition truss with Tudor-arched entrance to centre and surviving wattle and dawb infill panels. In the later, lower block is a wide Tudor-arched fireplace with oak bressummer.

Reason for designation

Listed for the special historic interest of its origins as a late C16 or early C17 lesser gentry house with good surviving character.