Cil y Groeslwyd-isaf

Location

Located in a slightly raised position off a track which leads W from Corwen Road. The house faces S.

History

C17-18; a single-storey 2-unit lobby-entry house, originally timber-framed but later encased in stone. A beam is said to have been found during restoration engraved 'GW 1700'. A 3rd bay was added to the W end later. The house had a rear lean-to, shown as such on the Tithe map of 1839. This was replaced by a larger rear wing in the late C20.

Exterior

A 3-unit house, single-storey with attic, with lobby-entrance to R of centre. Constructed of large blocks of random stone under a slate roof with tall stone ridge stack; some timber-framing is retained to the E gable end, including a post to R and a tie-beam truss, with cambered tie-beam, collar and 2 vertical struts. There is a joint where the W bay was added, the masonry of this bay partially rebuilt. Entrance offset to R of centre, flanked by windows, these openings under segmental heads of stone voussoirs. Further window to L bay without lintel. Late C20 half-glazed panelled door, and late C20 2-light wooden windows, replacing earlier modern windows; gabled attic dormer to L of centre, with similar window. The W gable end is rendered and cut into the bank; a wooden balcony leads to a gable door, with window to R. The E gable end is of masonry below the tie-beam, with a doorway to far R infilled with stone, and 2-light window to L; timber-framed gable has a single light between the struts. Adjoining the rear, towards the E, is a rendered lean-to with prominent stone plinth, containing a 2-light window to E end; skylight to rear roof-pitch. A late C20 wing adjoins rear of lean-to, the E front containing a garage and car port, with 3 gabled attic dormers above.

Interior

Inside the lobby entrance, the house had 2 heated rooms, a hall to L and parlour or service room to R. The back-to-back fireplaces have chamfered timber lintels. Ceilings have medium-chamfered spine beams and chamfered joists, well-preserved in the R room, slightly altered in the L room. A bay was added to the W later; it has a stop-chamfered beam, but this appears to have been re-set. Between this bay and the hall is a timber-framed partition with open panels, which formed the original W gable end of the house.

Reason for designation

Listed, notwithstanding alterations to openings, as a small sub-medieval farmhouse retaining its plan-form, character and internal detail.