House Platforms and Hollow Ways in the Shrunken Medieval Village of Llanfihangel Tal-y-Llyn

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument consists of the remains of a deserted rural settlement, probably dating to the medieval or post-medieval period. The site comprises a substantial area of earthworks identifiable as house platforms and holloways terraced into the sloping ground. One deep holloway is visible on the SE side of the site, which runs SW/NE the entire length of the field parallel to the field boundary. Two other holloways run parallel and to the W of this road but only travel half way up the slope where they are bounded by another hollow way which runs NW/SE across the field. Within the grid of roadways are a substantial series of well-preserved house platforms, at least 13 of which are identifiable, along with other boundaries, presumably demarcating property divisions or garden plots associated with the houses. The church stands to the SW, and the focus of the modern village has shifted to the S and W of the church. At least one of the holloways connects with a road into the village.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval or post-medieval settlement organisation. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. A deserted rural settlement may be part of a larger cluster of monuments and their importance can further enhanced by their group value.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.