Nant Ystalwyn

Cadw's description

Location

Located in mountainous terrain along a track which runs N off the Abergwesyn to Tregaron road. The house faces the River Towy to the W and is built parallel with it.

History

A large early C19 farmhouse in an upland setting, reflecting a change from mixed farming to specialist sheep rearing. The house had a central stair-hall arrangement with hall to L and parlour to R. The long adjoining service unit or 'back-kitchen' to the L is contemporary and there is no division.

Exterior

Long 2-storey range with house to R end and service unit to L. Small adjoining bakehouse at right angles to far L. Constructed of rubble stone under a slate roof with projecting stone stack to R end and brick ridge stack to centre. Small skylight to roof pitch. The house at the R end is 3-window, the central openings offset slightly to the R. The entrance contains a half-glazed planked door, the light boarded over. The flanking windows are also boarded, although that to the R is partly visible as a sash. The openings all have flat heads and stone sills. Those to the upper storey are 3-over-3-pane horned sashes, that to the L boarded over, and aligned with the openings below. To the L of the brick stack is the joint of a former doorway, L of which is a late C20 window. Further L, in the angle with the bakehouse, is a planked door under a shallow segmental head of stone voussoirs. Above is a 3-over-3-pane horned sash under a similar head. The single-storey bakehouse has a stone ridge stack offset to the L. Planked door offset to the R, rising to the eaves, and signs of alterations towards the centre of the wall. Opening to gable end offset to the L. The rear of the house is cut into the hillside, but has a 4-pane window to the upper storey towards the centre of the house part, which must light the stairs.

Interior

No access to interior at time of inspection.

Reason for designation

Listed as a rare and unaltered example of an upland farmhouse built for a specialist sheep farmer, which marks an important change from the long-house tradition.