Llandowlais Farmhouse

Location

On the east side of the Usk-Caerleon road and about 1800m north of the centre of Llangybi village.

History

The history of this house is uncertain due to the stonework not being visible. Its main character is C18 giving the impression of a relatively balanced front with central entrance into a hall and end chimneys, but this may be misleading as the random arrangement of windows could well suggest earlier origins. It could for instance be an earlier C17 two room house with gable entry at the central chimney but this is speculation. Alternatively the house could be a first build of the late C17 from the almost symmetrical period. It was extended to the right probably in the C19 and it also has rear wings of two different builds.

Exterior

The house is wholly rendered and whitewashed, probably over local rubblestone, and has Welsh slate roofs with unusually large slates. It forms a long rectangular block of at least two builds and has two rear wings, one in the centre and one to the left when viewed from the front. It is two storeys except for the single storey addition to the right hand gable.
The main block has three windows with a central entrance, gable and stacks. The entrance is a gabled porch and has an C18 4-panel door. This is flanked to the left by a 3 + 3 pane casement and to the right by a French casement. Above is a 3 + 3 casement in an elliptical head to the left and two small 3 + 3 casements, one above the porch but not central and one to the far right. Moderate pitched roof with brick stacks at either end. To the right is a one bay addition with a door and a window below and a window above, both 3 + 3 casements. It is plain from the left jamb of the doorway that this was the original house quoin. Another brick stack to right gable. Single storey addition to the right with plain door and 3 + 3 casement below and a blocked opening above. The extension is blind to the rear. The main house has a projecting gabled wing with windows in the returns but no chimney, 3 + 3 casements. A small section of rear wall with a single storey lean-to comes next. Finally, a two storey wing with door below and 3-light casement above under a lean-to roof. This wing also has no chimney.

Interior

Not available for inspection at resurvey, but it would appear to have a three room plan with separate hall, with the staircase probably in the rear wing.

Reason for designation

Included as a relatively unaltered, probably C18, farmhouse with good character.