Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
The Jubilee Arch
Pontarfynach, Ceredigion, Wales
A Grade II* listed building in Hafod, Aberystwyth, Pontarfynach, Ceredigion, designated on 16 March 2005.
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II*
- Broad class
- Commemorative
- Date of designation
- 16 March 2005
- Locality
- Hafod
- Town
- Aberystwyth
- Community
- Pontarfynach
- Unitary authority
- Ceredigion
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 52.36415, -3.81489
- Cadw reference
- 84267
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1608 map "(13) Cambriae Typus." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1608 · (13) Cambriae Typus. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1830 · V.3:11-15:XV. Britisches Reich. A. Kon: England. b. Frstenthum Wales: Shire: 37-40 (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1883 · Watershed map England, Wales 3. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1899 · 178 Llanilar (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1901 · Sheet 14. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
Cadw's description
Location
Crossing the B4574 some 2.8km SE of Devil's Bridge.
History
Gothic arch built over the old turnpike road to Devil's Bridge in 1809-10 for Thomas Johnes of Hafod to celebrate the golden jubilee of King George III in 1810. The idea came from a Gothic arch constructed over the London to Bath road at Park Place, Berkshire, and the design was copied by Johnes' friend George Cumberland in 1806. The builder Charles James of Llanddewi Brefi may have been involved as he is referred to as the 'inventor' of the 'romantic arch' at Hafod.
In the account of the laying of the foundation stone, the design was said to be by an 'eminent architect'. Johnes then held a dinner for over a hundred tenants at the Hafod Arms. The road was then the main road from Aberystwyth to London.
A C20 metal plaque states that arch was erected 1810 for jubilee of George III and restored 1964 by the Forestry Commission, Cardiganshire County Council, and Cardiganshire Antiquarian Society.
Exterior
Arch, rubble stone, large scale with 'rustic' stonework of large blocks with joints recessed to give impression of dry-stone walling. Two broad tapering piers each side supporting a narrower segmental pointed arch of stone voussoirs with some infill of spandrels but voussoirs only at crown. Arch is twisted slightly.
Reason for designation
Graded II* as a picturesque Gothic stone arch of considerable scale, a rarity in Wales, and as an important commission of Thomas Johnes of Hafod.
Nearby in the register
- Bwlch-yr-Oerfa SettlementGrangeunder 1 mi
- Barn and attached wall at GelmastAgriculture and Subsistenceunder 1 mi
- Gelmast Farm including attached dairy and cowhouse, cartshed and stable, and yard wall.Agriculture and Subsistenceunder 1 mi
- Hay barn to E of farmyard at BodcollAgriculture and Subsistenceunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.