Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Remains of Astronomical Observatory at Penllergaer
Penllergaer, Swansea, Wales
A scheduled monument in Penllergaer, Swansea, recorded as Observatory (Post Medieval/Modern).
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Observatory
- Period
- Post Medieval/Modern
- Date of designation
- 8 May 1980
- Community
- Penllergaer
- Unitary authority
- Swansea
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 51.67370, -3.99333
- SAM number
- GM410
- Cadw record number
- 144
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 LibrariesUniversity Library, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamDavid 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)
- 1891 · Sheet 10. Ordnance Survey of England and Wales. . (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1897 · 247 Swansea (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1920 · Sheet 100. Llanelly. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- Sheet 7 South Wales (University Library, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
Cadw's description
Summary description and reason for designation
The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.
The monument consists of an observatory, a building containing celestial telescopes in which astronomical phenomena may be observed. The observatory was constructed in 1851 by John Dillwyn Llewelyn. It comprises a circular stone built telescope chamber measuring 5.5m in diameter. In the centre of this is a conical drum which supported the telescope and a rectangular chamber with vaulted roof abuts on the east side. The chamber is made out of triangular hollow brick. The use of this unusual material was probably to insulate or perhaps to decrease any vibration which would affect the operation of the telescope.
The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of scientific techniques and processes. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits. The structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information concerning chronology and building techniques.
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 Equatorial Observatory, PenllergareRecreationalunder 1 mi
- Penllergaer orchideous houseGarden Buildingunder 1 mi
- Penderi Fawr Farmhouse including attached cowhouseDomesticunder 1 mi
- Lofted Pigsty at Tredegar FawrDomesticunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.