Porth Gwenynen

Cadw's description

Location

Northeast of walled kitchen garden (Listed Building 87213), set by the southern wall of Llanover Park on Hanover Road, to left of gate to former carriage drive to Llanover Hall.

History

Picturesque mid to late Victorian estate lodge, appears on 1899 Ordnance Survey Map. A later east-facing gateway to Llanover Park, which was formerly centred on the lost Llanover Hall, built in similar style in 1837 and demolished in 1936. Porth Gwenynen is of friendlier character than the west-facing formal main entrance at Porth Mawr of circa 1835, which takes the form of a medieval fortified gatehouse with screaming gargoyle.

The lodge’s name is a reference to Gwenynen Gwent (‘the Bee of Gwent’), the bardic name of Augusta Hall, Lady Llanover (1802-1896) which she wrote under from the 1830s onwards, also used by her daughter Augusta Charlotte Elizabeth Herbert (1824-1912, ‘Gwenynen Gwent yr ail’). Both were renowned patrons of the Welsh language, contrary to the prevailing views of their social class in the mid nineteenth century. Through influence on schools and places of worship, preference for Welsh speaking servants and sponsorship of Eisteddfodau the Llanover estate preserved an island of the Welsh language in Torfaen where it was largely overwhelmed by migration pressures associated with industrialisation. The Bees of Gwent also had a lasting influence on Welsh costume and music and were instrumental in the preservation of Welsh literature.

Exterior

Picturesque Tudor-style lodge with strong sympathy with the earlier Tyr Ardd (Listed Building 87169). Built of pennant sandstone semi-ashlar, artificial stone tile double pitch roofs likely replaced by mid-twentieth century, plain boxed eaves. L-shaped plan, one and a half storey with service lean-to to south. East-facing front has projecting gabled porch with open vertical side lights and front lancet arch with inscription over reading ‘PORTH GWENYNYN’ (sic). 2-light window to left, small step back to side of monopitch lean-to. Lean-to across most of south side elevation is shallower pitched with larger concrete tiles than main roof and stonework is also coarser on this elevation away from the drive. Open gable to upper storey on left with single light to staircase. Inset side door and single light kitchen window to left. Rear elevation 2-light window to kitchen on right, projecting window box with mono-pitch roof over, single light in open gable above. North side parallel to drive has projecting window box with mono-pitch roof on left, single light in open gable above, return to right with 3-light window. Paired red brick chimneys in apex of rear ridge with lead flashings below.

Interior

Front and rear room to each floor with small kitchen and bathroom in side lean-to reached from rear room. Simple thin timber stair rail. Exposed timber purlins in both bedrooms. Timber lancet front door with iron strapping and large lock mechanism. Thin timber interior doors and integral cupboards with straps. Fireplaces replaced.

Reason for designation

Included for its special interest as a C19 lodge with good picturesque character, group value with other Llanover Park buildings and close historical association with Augusta Hall, an important champion of the Welsh language in the nineteenth century.