Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
The Alcove, Piercefield
St. Arvans, Monmouthshire, Wales
A scheduled monument in St. Arvans, Monmouthshire, recorded as Folly (Post Medieval/Modern).
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Folly
- Period
- Post Medieval/Modern
- Date of designation
- 4 August 2000
- Community
- St. Arvans
- Unitary authority
- Monmouthshire
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 51.64958, -2.68113
- SAM number
- MM285
- Cadw record number
- 853
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)
- 1636 · Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ... (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1895 · Sheet 11. Ordnance Survey of England and Wales. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1897 · 250 Chepstow (Outline) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1905 · 250 Chepstow (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
Cadw's description
Summary description and reason for designation
The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.
The monument consists of a folly, dating to the 18th century. A folly is a structure, often found in 18th century landscape gardens, that demonstrates eccentricity or excess rather than practical purpose. They can take many forms - ruins, sham castles, towers, hermits' cells or grottoes. This Alcove represents the southernmost structure of the Piercefield Walk and is a semi-octagonal platform supporting a semi-circular stone ‘alcove’ seat looking out upon spectacular views of the gorge, Chepstow castle and town.
The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of 18th century settlement organisation. 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
- White HouseDomesticunder 1 mi
- Pike HouseDomesticunder 1 mi
- Lion Gates and attached Lodges at Chepstow Racecourse (Piercefield Park)Domesticunder 1 mi
- Entrance gates and piers to The MountDomesticunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.