Rectory Cottage

Cadw's description

Location

Set end on to the slope in the middle of a field to the south west of Mamhilad village; reached from a path close to the road bridge over the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.

History

The house has possibly C16 origins, but is a largely mid C17 structure with C18 alterations including the addition of a small barn, though the timber framed partition does suggest that the house did continue downhill. There were minor C19 changes and subsequent dereliction which was its condition at the time of listing in 1991. The house was largely rebuilt when it was brought back into use in 1993-5 and the barn was incorporated into the house; a small wing was also added.

Exterior

This is a one-and-a-half storey former farmhouse with an attached barn at the downhill end which is now incorporated into the house. It is constructed of random local sandstone rubble with a steeply pitched roof of Welsh slate. The main front of the house may have originally been symmetrical before the lower end was altered by the addition of the barn. Modern broad opening off-centre, replacing the cart doors, this is filled by double part glazed doors with two 3-paned overlights above which reach to the eaves. To the left of this in the barn wall is a modern plank door with a timber lintel. To the right are three 2-light casements below, the last being in the original doorway. Above is a small half dormer with a fourth casement. Plain steeply pitched roof with two Velux rooflights and a rebuilt stone stack on the right gable. The uphill gable end has a most unusual and very early 2-light timber window, distinctive for its chamfered triangular heads. This lights the stairs, and there is a small modern window in the gable above. At the rear is a 3-light ground floor window, added rear wing with modern casements and a plain door and small half dormer. The former barn had six triangular vents to the downhill gable end, which has a battered base.

Interior

The entrance was originally onto a lobby against the chimney at the uphill end but this opening is now converted to a window. The beams have mostly narrow chamfers with run-out stops; the ground floor was formerly partitioned. Broad fireplace with rubble jambs and chamfered timber bressummer; to the left is the broad winding stair with stone treads. The house has a good, steeply-pitched, upper cruck truss with tenoned collar and 3-tiers of through purlins. The barn section, now the kitchen end, has a lower floor and a truss with lapped collar and removed tie-beam; half-timbered partition of thin scantling between the house and the barn, this continues through both floors.

Reason for designation

Included for the surviving C16 and C17 detail; in particular the stair window for which there is only one parallel known to exist in Wales.