11 Nightingale Street

Cadw's description

Location

Situated on the NW side of Abercanaid between the Afon Taf and the former Glamorganshire canal.

History

House in terrace, part of the important early group of industrial housing at Abercanaid that originally included 7 terraces in 4 rows facing E between the river and canal, one in River Row, 2 facing and 2 backing onto Nightingale Street and 2 in Canal Row, and then to the N, 3 longer rows at right angles to river and canal, known as The Squares, a terrace of larger houses backing onto the canal and 2 detached houses for higher grades of employees. The 7 terraces survive, 5 listed though much altered even since listing in 1975, the rear 2 in Canal Row unlisted, but the terraces to the N have all gone with one of the detached houses, the other Llwynyreos survives. The houes were built between 1852 and 1861 possibly by the Plymouth Iron Company to house workers employed at the Abercanaid Pit and Pentrebach Forge.

Exterior

Though small, the houses are relatively generous for the era, similar to those at the nearby Triangle, Pentrebach (all demolished), being double-fronted, rather than the single-window and door earlier type (seen at the terrace from Rhydycar, nearby, now at St Fagans Museum) but were narrow, with roof-spans of 4-5m, and without rear outshuts, as they had roads or access paths both back and front. As built they had a plan form arranged around a centre passageway and rear staircase and were of ruble stone with small-paned sashes, slate roofs and stone chimneys, with stone voussoirs to openings on both floors. The facades are slightly offset to allow for larger kitchen chimneys, the offset side alternated to give mirrored pairs. The gardens in front or behind were accessed across a footpath running down the terrace line. The houses backing onto gardens (Nos 70-81 Nightingale Street) have generally been extended to the rear, the others retain the original depth. The similar houses further S in Nightingale Street appear to be of later date, and are also much altered though contributing to the character of the Abercanaid settlement.

House in terraced row originally of square rubble stone with close-eaved slate roof and stone end stacks, 2-storeys, double fronted with small-paned sash windows, 2 each floor and centre door probably with overlight. Stone voussoirs to openings and stone sills. Rear walls also of rubble stone originally had one small door and pantry window below to one side and one small upper window.

No 11 has C20 windows and stuccoed thin surrounds to windows, concrete tiles, and C20 door with overlight. Left chimney missing. Rear wall to Nightingale Street has low door and tiny window to left, upper window right.

Interior

Not inspected.

Reason for designation

Included as one of the best surviving groups of early industrial workers' housing in the region.