Stable and Cowhouse at Hygga Farm

Cadw's description

Location

About 500m north east of the Church of St. Dennis at Llanishen and approached down a lane on the east side of Chepstow Road (B4293).

History

A probable C16 stable and cowhouse range. The farm is mentioned in Fox & Raglan which describes the range as forming one end of a triangular yard in combination with the adjacent barn and in relation to the (destroyed) mansion. It was recorded in 1958 as having dormer windows in the attic on the SW side and roofed in slate, an aerial photograph of the same period shows three stone gabled dormers in place each with square windows. This photograph also shows the existing large barn opposite the shippon, a further barn on the NW side of the yard (now converted to dwellings) and a further two smaller buildings partially enclosing the SE side of the yard. At the time of inspection the gables had been removed and the roof re-covered in asbestos sheet. Information from the owner suggests that this was done before c.1980. During the C19 the range has been extended to the SE and the end gable wall on this end altered.

Exterior

Stable and cowhouse range. Long rectangular single storey and attic range built of roughly coursed local sandstone blocks and dressed stone to the openings and with an asbestos sheeting roof. Single storey lean-to addition on the right hand (downslope) end also in roughly coursed sandstone but with brick dressings and slate roof. Main three bay sw elevation faces into the yard and has three large 4-centred doorways slightly offset to the left. Wide 2-light mullion windows to the left of the left hand and central windows, the right hand door has a square window to the left and a blocked ventilation slit to the right. Small window to the lean-to. The rear elevation is of three bays, tall inserted opening to the left, central 4-centered door (now blocked) offset to the left with to the right smaller square headed door and small square window with four pane timber casement and single-sided shutter pintels. Door opening to lean-to addition. NW gable elevation has a door at attic level with flanking ventilation slits and further slit above.

Interior

Interior divided into three ground floor bays. The central and left are both fully lofted, the right is full height with half width first floor, possibly inserted. Left hand bay (upslope) accessed from yard side and is lit from both sides. It retains a central chamfered beam with stops and three vertical sockets on its underside suggesting earlier partitioning, possibly for use as stabling. Central bay has opposing doors, 2 chamfered beams with stops, loft access through floor immediately by the door to the yard side and stair access to above against the rear wall. The opposing doorways and arrangement of beams suggests that this was possibly a cowhouse with a central feeding passage and stalls to either side. Right hand bay has lost the original gable wall which has been removed to allow access to the later lean-to addition, but retains two opposing doors (both blocked, to the front only partially) and queen-strut and collar roof truss above. The stair from the central bay gives access to the loft above with collar beam roof trusses and full height internal walls to either side, to the right is plastered and without openings, that to the left is plastered and has central door giving access through. Left hand attic has queen-strut and collar roof trusses, gable door with blocked ventilation slits above and to the sides and evidence of lath and plaster to the underside of the rafters.

Reason for designation

Listed as a rare example of a C16 stable and cowhouse range surviving substantially intact with fine distinctive architectural character and important as an integral part of an early and significant farmstead.