Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Bwlch-yr-Oerfa Settlement
Pontarfynach, Ceredigion, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Grange
- Period
- Medieval
- Date of designation
- 14 December 1989
- Community
- Pontarfynach
- Unitary authority
- Ceredigion
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 52.35864, -3.81660
- SAM number
- CD149
- Cadw record number
- 1898
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
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1608 "(13) Cambriae Typus." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Summary description and reason for designation
The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.
The monument consists of the remains of a grange, dating to the medieval period. A grange is an outlying farm or estate, usually belonging to a religious order or feudal lord. The term is specifically related to core buildings and structures associated with monastic land holding. The monument comprises a well preserved complex of earthworks just to the north of a recent plantation and set within a hollow in the hills. To the west of a stream is an embanked oval enclosure measuring c.35m by c.17m. It contains nine closely-packed raised sub-rectangular platforms. Attached to the east is an additional or earlier enclosure also with raised platforms internally. To the east of the stream is a raised sub-rectangular platform measuring c.35m by c.17m with traces of long ridges. Under the eastern slope of this platform are the substantial stone footings of a rectangular building measuring c.17m by 6m.
The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval ecclesiastical and settlement organisation. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. A grange may be part of a larger cluster of monuments and their importance can be 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.
Nearby in the register
- The Jubilee ArchCommemorativeunder 1 mi
- PantymawnDomesticunder 1 mi
- The Church HallReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Entrance gates and piers to Eglwys Newydd churchReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.