Castle-upon-Alun House including attached stone walls enclosing garden, and outbuilding

Cadw's description

Location

Located off the N side of a narrow lane which runs E-W through the hamlet of Castle-upon-Alun. A further lane bounds the E side of the grounds and leads to Ewenny.

History

The central unit of the house shows its sub-medieval origins. It is shown on the St. Brides Major Tithe Map of 1840 when it belonged to John Nicholl of the Merthyr Mawr Estate. The house was substantially remodelled and extended c 1850 and further remodelled early 20th century.

Exterior

Long 2-storey range with rear wing. Entrances in the angle of the main range and rear wing. Long garden front faces S. Rough cast over masonry under steeply pitched slate roofs. Two masonry end stacks and 2 masonry ridge stacks to main range; 3 masonry stacks to rear range. Fenestration is generally 12-pane horned sash windows with flat heads and stone sills.

The main range consists of a lower 2-window unit towards the centre, flanked by a symmetrical 3-window addition to the L and a 4-window addition to the R with 2 gablets. The central unit has 2 narrow sashes to the upper story offset to the L. The lower storey has a C20 half-lit door to the R and a 4-light C20 window to the L. The L addition has 3 sash windows to the upper storey and a central half-lit door with overlight to the lower storey flanked by sashes. The R addition has 2 gablets with wide barge boards. Each gablet contains 2 half-dormer sash windows. There are 3 windows below, symmetrically placed.

The rear wing is offset to the W. The W gable end of the main range has no openings. The W side of the rear wing has 5 windows to the upper storey and 3 to the lower storey. There are 2 gabled attic dormers with multi-pane windows. The N gable end of the wing has wide barge boards. The ground floor has 2 sash windows and a small C20 window to the L.

GARDEN WALLS: Attached rubble walls define the garden to S and E of the house. The Gothic doorway near the SW angle of the house probably reuses medieval stonework; similar Gothic doorway at SE angle of garden walls. A square stone outbuilding is incorporated on the E side.

Interior

Entrance hall with large stone fireplace on the S side with a moulded Tudor arch. Straight staircase on W side of hall;beamed and pargetted ceiling. The reception rooms are to the S of the hall, with the main room at the end. The central reception room has a boarded door leading to a fireplace staircase to the L of the (now Victorian) fireplace. The doorway is at a 45° angle to the wall. To the R of the fireplace is a small lobby, perhaps reflecting the original end entry to the house. It now leads to a door to the garden. Internal detail of the house includes wainscot panelling, decorated and moulded coving and plastered ceiling beams.

Reason for designation

A well preserved example of a gentry house of several periods, the retention of the extensive garden walls is of additional interest. The sub-medieval origins of the house provide additional historic interest. Group value with the adjacent stables and cartshed.