Upper terrace wall and pavilion on W side of Miskin Manor

Cadw's description

Location

On the W side of the house.

History

The upper terrace wall was built in the last quarter of the C19 by Judge Gwilym Williams, and is first shown on the Ordnance Survey of 1900. The small pavilion attached to it was probably added in the second quarter of the C20.

Miskin Manor is a country house built for David Williams in 1864, but has medieval origins. The landscaping of the present park was begun by Williams in 1857 and the principal features were in place by the 1870s. The gardens were further developed by David's son Judge Gwilym Williams (1839-1906) and Sir Rhys Rhys Williams (1865-1955). On the W side of the house there were originally earthen terraces on the sloping ground leading down to the bank of the River Ely. These are shown on the 1875 Ordnance Survey and may have belonged to the late C16 or early C17. The layout was altered by Judge Gwilym Williams from the late C19 when the present terrace walls were built.

Exterior

A long buttressed revetment wall, of rock-faced snecked stone with flat freestone coping. The coping has added lamps cast by D W Windsor of Stanstead Abbotts, Hertfordshire. From the forecourt, on the upper side of the wall, are 2 flights of stone steps. These are defined by the rake in the wall and square piers with flat copings towards the S end. At the N end are dog-leg steps in 2 flights with square piers and flat copings, leading down to the terrace from the forecourt. Beyond this the wall continues N and returns to the E. Attached to the N end of the wall, beyond the steps, is a gabled pavilion at right angles. The front, facing the terrace to the S, has rock-faced stonework flanking a wide opening, partly supported by rustic posts on dwarf walls. The side and rear walls are rubble stone. Stone tile roof.

Reason for designation

Listed for group value with Miskin Manor and other associated listed items.