Broomfield

Cadw's description

Location

Located on a terrace cut out of the steep bank of the Wye valley, high above the main Brecon to Hay road, and backing directly on to the former Hereford, Hay and Brecon Railway.

History

The house was built in the early C19, probably by William Bridgewater, the operator of the Hay to Brecon Tramway, for his own use, and possibly incorporating an earlier building on the site. The site was known as Glasbury Wharf.

Exterior

Gentry house of painted pebbledashed rubble stone with slate roofs. A square block comprising a central 3-storey and basement, 3 window bay block with lower 2-storey wings each side, one of 3 bays and the SW one of 2 bays containing the main entrance. Fluted Tuscan columned portico with modillion cornice, approached by a flight of 9 stone steps from the side. Round-headed panelled door reveal and part-margin glazed doors and radial fanlight. Main floor windows of central block are tripartite, set within segmental headed openings containing a plaster roundel in the tympana, and recessed apron below. Twelve-paned sashes to first floor, with much crown glass. Cornice with frieze embellished with garlands before the attic storey, which has round-headed sash windows. Wide paired modillion eaves.

The wings either side also have 12-pane sashes, but carriage door on left wing. Further panelled doors to rear, and to NE end within panelled reveals, with a further one added by Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe, and some round-headed windows, one with coloured glass.

Interior

Main block contains a drawing room and study, with service rooms in a second range to the rear. Drawing room has a cornice with a 'Welsh Cornice' applied to the ceiling. Panelled doors. Panelled shutters to windows.

Reason for designation

Listed Grade II* as a well-preserved and handsomely designed example of a Regency house in a prominent position, and having interesting associations with the early tramway.