Upper Tyn y Cefn

Cadw's description

Location

Approximately 3.3km SE of Beguildy, on the N side of lane near the junction of a minor road with the B4355.

History

The house is one of a group of single-bayed hall houses ('peasant halls') which have been identified in Radnorshire, and dated by dendrochronology to the mid C16. Upper Tyn y Cefn originated as a single-bay timber-framed hall house of c1550, of which 2 cruck trusses survive. The building probably combined house and cowhouse under single roof, and consisted of an upper parlour, hall, passage bay, and and outer (lower) bay. A chimney was inserted in the passage bay c1600, when the walls were rebuilt in stone, and the hall was floored over. The building probably remained of the longhouse type, with cattle stalled in the lower bay. The house was subsequently replanned c1800, with a parlour created in the lower bay, including a fireplace inserted into the rear of the main chimney, and the old parlour converted to a back kitchen.

Exterior

A 2-storey house with farm range in line on a sloping site, of rubble-stone walls rendered to the front, slate roof and brick stack. The main, central entrance is reached up stone steps and has a half-glazed panel door. To its R is an iron-framed casement window, with wood-framed casement further R. The upper storey has 3 small iron-frame casements beneath the eaves. To the L of the entrance, where the ground level falls steeply, is a cellar doorway, and another boarded door further L. The farm range is timber-framed with weatherboards and corrugated iron front. In the downhill gable end are weatherboards above a stone plinth with 3 triangular breathers. The uphill gable end is also weatherboarded.

The 3-window rear has C20 wooden casements, beneath the eaves in the upper storey, and replaced boarded door on the L side. Above the R-hand upper-storey window the walls is weatherboarded where the roof has been raised. The farm range is brought forward.

Interior

The entrance opens to a lobby made by the inserted chimney. To the right is a living room with a large fireplace with cambered beam, spine beams, and part of a cruck truss visible. Beyond this, the kitchen has a cross beam with broach stops, a C19 stair and a framed partition. To the L of the entrance, at lower level, is the parlour with its C19 fireplace against main chimney. Wooden stairs to upper floor. The cruck trusses are said to have lapped tie-beams and collars, and butted apex.

Reason for designation

Listed for its special architectural interest as a regional house retaining vernacular character and detail, with medieval origins.