Row of cottages in Capel Uchaf

Cadw's description

Location

The row of cottages lies against, and on the S side of the minor road running E from Clynnog-fawr, opposite the turning to Coed-tyno.

History

The row of cottages represents an unusual small development of upland settlers' cottages to form or augment a small community at Capel-uchaf, served by a chapel. They probably date from the late C18, and may be farm labourers cottages or associated with the dual economy of small-scale mineral extraction.

Exterior

The row consists of 3 two-room cottages in line, built of stone rubble on boulder foundations, the walls colourwashed, originally in red, now white, and with a continuous slate roof, grouted at the upper end, and each cottage having an individual stack at the upper end, with a square conical top. Some corrugated iron at the rear. The lower cottage also has a stack at the lower gable end. Approximately centrally placed boarded doors in recessed frames, and to either side characteristically small windows of 4-panes to right-hand cottage, 6-panes to centre, and 16-pane to left.

Interior

The surviving internal arrangements show a large stack and fireplace at the 2-bay upper end living room, open to the roof, with a timber fire lintel, and one cross partition dividing off the inner room, which is floored. Further partitioning may have been removed, but one cottage retains an internal draught lobby. Collar beam trusses, the soffit plastered between the rafters.

Reason for designation

Listed as a group of traditional croglofft cottages, unusual in this area as being built in the form of a small row, and retaining vernacular character, notwithstanding poor condition.