Ty'n Llwyn Farm - Hay Barn outside Yard to NW

Cadw's description

Location

This barn projects from the NW corner of the yard, and has direct access to the sheds which form the yard's NW range. It directly balances the similar barn at the SW, forming a symmetrical arrangement on the W side of the yard

History

Ty'n llwyn was a farm on the Vaenol estate of Thomas Assheton Smith. Map evidence suggests that a small early farm (in existence by c1780) was replaced by a larger scale farmstead between c1820 and c1830, though perhaps reconstructed as a model farmstead by its most notable tenant, John Owen. The farmhouse and a barn at the SW of the site appear to occupy the site of the earlier buildings, but the architectural evidence suggests that the farm was essentially laid out as a new model holding. In 1853, the tenancy was taken on by John Owen who farmed here until 1868: in that year, he was evicted for his Liberal political convictions, which placed him at odds with the Toryism of his landlord. John Owen was a methodist preacher and a pioneering farmer and writer on agriculture. He invested considerably in the improvement of the land at Ty'n llwyn. His interest in Welsh Black Cattle is possibly reflected in the design of this farm, which is laid out as a specialist stock-raising establishment.
This barn originated as an open-fronted hay-barn, identical to that to S, but the outer open bays were infilled (apparently at an early date), possibly suggesting conversion from hay-barn to corn storage.

Exterior

Large hay-barn, rough quarried rubble with coarse mortared joints, and large slate roof. 3 bays facing south, originally articulated by full-height stone piers, but the outer bays at some time filled in , and now with tiers of vents. Similar vents in W gable end and to rear.

Interior

King-post trusses; cobbled floor; doorway in E gable linking it with the NE range of the yard.

Reason for designation

Listed as a fine barn, an integral part of a exceptionally complete large-scale planned specialist farmstead, retaining good estate character.