Pig Sty at Cwm Biga

Cadw's description

Location

Located to the E of the farmhouse.

History

The farm was a sheep grange belonging to the monks of Abbey Cwm Hir from the late C12 until the dissolution of the monasteries, which specialised in mutton and wool production. It was recorded as such in 1315. In 1698 it was sold to the University of Oxford becoming part of their income-bearing estates. I n 1906 it was purchased by Maurice Jones, and was then bought by the Forestry Commission in the 1930s.

There is a complete group of farm buildings at Cwm Biga, and from1974 when the farm was purchased by Iuean Rees, they have been on display to exhibit traditional farming practices here and at similar hill farms. The slate roofs of these buildings were renewed in 1994.

A pair of pig sties, one of which is said to be larger than the other, with their attached pens. Probably early-mid C19 and shown on the Tithe map of 1848. The loft formerly housed pigeons or poultry.

Exterior

Small single-storey range of random stone under a renewed slate roof with plain barge boards. The 2 sties have doorways to the gable ends. The E sty has a planked door offset to the L under a timber lintel; pigeon hole with projecting slate sill to gable. Outside is a small pen with cobbled floor bounded by an open wooden fence, with gate to front. Similar arrangement to W sty with doorway offset to R of gable end.

Interior

Interior not seen at resurvey.

Reason for designation

Listed as a pig sty retaining its character, and for group value with the farmhouse and surrounding farm buildings.