Berthglyd Farm

Cadw's description

Location

Approximately 2km E of Llanvetherine, at end of a long farm track that runs NW off minor road opposite former school at Brynderi.

History

Berthglyd contains cruck trusses of a probably early C16 2-bay hall-house. Probably in early C17, a floor was inserted in the open hall of this medieval house, and a large two-storey addition added to E. The house was subsequently reconstructed in the C18, and there have been more recent alterations and repairs during late C20 restoration work.

Exterior

Farmhouse comprises C16 one-and-a-half storey former hall-house and large attached two-storey block in irregular linear range. N elevation is thinly coursed rubble stone, S front is random rubble. Slate roofs, with composition tile roof to S of addition; stone end-stacks. Window openings have timber lintels and stone sills. S garden front has one-and-a-half storey house to left. On ground floor (left) is small C20 conservatory which encloses a boarded door, and (right) a 2+2+2 pane casement window. Set back slightly to right, is two- storey range. On first floor are three 3+3+3 casements, and on ground floor (r to l) a similar corresponding window, and a boarded door flanked on each side by small 2-pane windows. N elevation of one-and-a-half storey house has attic gabled dormers with C20 2-pane windows. On ground floor are two 2+2+2 pane casements. To right is small lean-to outshut with 2-pane window. Later range (to left) has, on first floor, a C20 2+2 pane window (right), and on ground floor, a 3+3+3 casement (left) and a 3+3+3+3 casement (right). Basement has off-centre doorway with segmental arch of stone voussoirs. Boarded door with rectangular boarded overlight. E gable has blocked window opening on ground floor and 2+2 casement to cellar below. W gable first floor, a 2+2 casement, and on ground floor, small outshut with slate roof (left) and 2+2+2 casement (right).

Interior

Ground floor of one-and-a-half storey house (present kitchen) has chamfered ceiling beams with hollow and fillet (Wern-hir) stops; and very deep, chamfered, oak fireplace lintel with straight cut stops. Attic room (above) has well-preserved centre ‘open' cruck truss of former hall-house. Truss has saddle at apex, collar, cruck spurs and blade trenched for two purlins. Ground-floor of two-storey range has two-unit plan. Larger of two rooms has fireplace with monolithic stone jambs and deep oak lintel with carved pointed-arched recess (salt-box) on right.

Reason for designation

Listed as a vernacular house displaying interesting development sequence, as a C16 hall house was retained in successive enlargement. The original hall-house retains C16 cruck-truss, and the additions retain C17 layout and some detail.