History in Structure

SW Roundhouse at Roundhouse Farm

A Grade II* Listed Building in Nantyglo, Blaenau Gwent

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Coordinates

Latitude: 51.7845 / 51°47'4"N

Longitude: -3.1768 / 3°10'36"W

OS Eastings: 318916

OS Northings: 210188

OS Grid: SO189101

Mapcode National: GBR YZ.YLMQ

Mapcode Global: VH6CV.WDDW

Plus Code: 9C3RQRMF+Q7

Entry Name: SW Roundhouse at Roundhouse Farm

Listing Date: 29 June 1950

Last Amended: 30 September 1999

Grade: II*

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 1863

Building Class: Domestic

ID on this website: 300001863

Location: Roundhouse Farm is situated on the valley bottom, W of Nantyglo. Farm reached off the end of Waun Ebbw Road. SW tower located some 40 metres away from farmyard.

County: Blaenau Gwent

Community: Nantyglo and Blaina (Nantyglo a Blaenau)

Community: Nantyglo and Blaina

Locality: Nantyglo

Built-Up Area: Nantyglo

Traditional County: Monmouthshire

Tagged with: Building

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Ebbw Vale

History

Built c. 1822 by Joseph Bailey, ironmaster, as one of two fortified stronghouses to protect himself and his family in case of rebellion by the workers at his Nantyglo ironworks. The nearby Nantyglo House, built c. 1820 for Bailey following his purchase of the ironworks in 1811, has long been demolished. There was serious rioting in Nantyglo in 1816 following an attempt to cut wages. In 1822, riots sparked by a cut in wages were suppressed by the military, and a detachment of Scots Greys were billeted nearby. The SW roundhouse is believed to have been used by the Baileys’ private secretary, and local legend states that a tunnel connected it to Nantyglo House. In addition, the towers protected valuable equipment stored in the present barn range, which originally formed part of the Ironworks. The roof, floor-joists, window-sills, frames and fireplaces of the building were all of iron, mainly removed (with the use of explosives) and sold as scrap in the early 1940s.

Exterior

Circular rubble-built tower with slightly battered base (walls c. 1.2 metres thick). Semi-ruinous, particularly to NW. Two storeys, but formerly rose to a third storey. Narrow rectangular windows, some with iron grilles, sills and lintels. Doorway faces away from farmyard.

Interior

Retains cellar and part of stone stair curving around inner wall.

Reasons for Listing

Listed as an historically and architecturally important building, unusual for using iron in its construction and, for the C19, in being fortified.

External Links

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

Other nearby listed buildings

  • II* Agricultural Range at Roundhouse Farm
    Roundhouse Farm is situated on the valley bottom, W of Nantyglo. Farm reached off the end of Waun Ebbw Road, with the agricultural range situated S of the early C20 farmhouse.
  • II* NE Roundhouse at Roundhouse Farm
    Roundhouse Farm is situated on the valley bottom, W of Nantyglo. Farm reached off the end of Waun Ebbw Road. NE tower located alongside main entrance to farmyard.
  • II Former Pump House at Dunlop Semtex Factory
    Prominently located on the W side of road leading from Brynmawr to Winchestown. Building is situated on fringe of large pond, SW of factory complex.
  • II Berea United Reformed Chapel, including gates and railings
    Located within small cul-de-sac (Berea Cottages) off W side of A467 Brynmawr-Abertillery road. Steep hillside site.
  • II Chapel Farm
    Isolated location on the steep W side of the valley, facing over Blaina. Reached at end of track leading from A467, past Ysgubor-fach.
  • II* Former Boiler House at Dunlop Semtex Factory
    Prominently sited on the E side of the A467 on the S edge of Brynmawr, opposite main Dunlop Semtex factory complex (separately listed within Nantyglo and Blaina Community).

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