Porth-y-mynde, wall and entrance gates of Caer Cottage

Cadw's description

Location

On the southern approach to the Market Place at the centre of Caerleon.

History

This wall is a part of the wall constructed round The Mynde (now No 14 High Street) in 1839. The owner of the house and of Ponthir Plate Works, John Jenkins, was frightened by the possibility of violence and destruction of property by the Chartist Movement and built the wall right round his property to protect it. It is now in six different ownerships, but continues to be visually very important to Caerleon. Its fortress like appearance pays respect to the Castle Mound a large Norman motte within the enclosure.

Exterior

Squared local red sandstone and conglomerate rubble wall about 6m in height and about 12m long. Large and small four-centred archways outlined in dressed sandstone and with keyed heads. The large archway is the Porth-y-mynde and has plank double gates with strap hinges. The foot arch also has a plank door. The wall spans the whole distance between Nos 15 and 16 and rises to the height of their eaves. Interior face not seen.

Reason for designation

Included as a fine wall built in 1839 with historic associations and group value with the surrounding buildings in the centre of Caerleon.