2 Velindre

Cadw's description

Location

Situated in centre of row of 3, on E side of lane running S of A40 towards Myddfai, about 1km E of Llandovery.

History

The principal part of Velindre is an earlier C19 gentry house of the Jones family, now divided into 3. The site was purchased in the early C19 by Edward Jones I, attorney, who was living at Llwynhywel in 1830 and who also owned Llwyncelyn; and by 1836 occupied by Edward Jones II (1779-1844), attorney and 4 times mayor of Llandovery.

The house was occupied c1854-68 by Captain David E Jones (1826-90) - probably brother of Edward Jones III who is listed as owner 1866-8. In the 1890s Jones III had moved to Danyrallt, nearby and the house was tenanted by H P Wardell. By 1899 owned and occupied Edward M Jones, sold by the Jones family in the early C20, occupied by Mrs Mary Williams, farmer 1926, subdivided into 3 in 1942, and auctioned separately in 1942-43.

The present character of Velindre as an early C19 gentry house is probably the result of a piecemeal development process, as evidence has emerged to suggest that there is an earlier building at the core of the property: No 2 contains a roof-truss at lower level than the present roofs, and repair works to the attic wall between Nos 1 and 2 in 2021 uncovered a blocked window, stepped chimney stack and roughcast wall, suggesting that this was once an external gable wall and pre-dating a phase of remodelling in c1836. No 1 has a wing with canted end, probably added in the second half of the C19.

No 1 comprises the former principal rooms and staircase, and No 3 the former kitchen and service rooms. An old photograph shows a veranda outside Nos 1 and 2.

Exterior

House, painted stucco or roughcast, middle section of house now divided into 3, Nos 1 to 3 Felindre. Two storey terrace-like long range of nine bays, divided 2-3-4, i.e. 2 bays to No 1, 3 bays to No 2, and 4 to No 3. Slate roofs. No 1 has a wing with canted end running E from rear N end. End chimneys to each section in yellow and black brick, later C19 to No 1, and C20 red brick to No 3.

First floor has nine 16-pane sashes right along, 3 to No 2, the third window set considerably lower and also in wider bay, marking a kind of division between the main house and No 3 the service range. Ground floor has floor-length 20-pane sashes to main rooms, one to left of No 1 and 2 in left 2 bays of No 2 which has a door (not aligned with window above) in third bay (replacing a small sash window). No 2 has a hipped-roofed parallel rear range.

Interior

Six-panel doors to both front and rear ranges. Front ground floor room has 2 arched recess on N wall corresponding to similar recesses in S wall of No 1. No cornice, simple architrave to door. Loft has possibly C18 oak truss with collar cut to curve, set lower than the 2 trusses to N, indication of an earlier building rebuilt.

Reason for designation

Included as part of an earlier C19 gentry house, of group value with Nos 1 and 3. The house is of an unusual linear form, and retains good Georgian detail externally.