Penlan, The Vale of Grwyney (Cwm Grwyne), Powys

Entry Name: Penlan

Listing Date: 19 July 1963

Last Amended: 19 November 1998

Grade: II*

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 6683

Building Class: Domestic

Also known as: Penlan, The Vale of Grwyney

ID on this website: 300006683

Location: Isolated house on high ground approximately 1.3km SE of Llanbedr church, reached by private road S of minor road between Llangenny and Partrishow at Dyffryn farm.

County: Powys

Community: The Vale of Grwyney (Cwm Grwyne)

Community: The Vale of Grwyney

Locality: Penlan

Traditional County: Brecknockshire

Tagged with: House

History

Originally the house was a late medieval cruck-framed, timber-framed hall house with 2-bay hall. The lower end and the cross passage were rebuilt in stone in the late C16, and a fireplace was inserted. The hall was rebuilt in stone in the early C17. Later in the C17 the walls were raised to 2 storeys, at which time a stair turret was also added, followed by the S wing, which may have originated as an unheated parlour block as its chimneys appear to be a later addition, although there was no direct access to it from the main house. At the same time the original service end may have become a byre. Finally, in 1686 (date on building), the stair turret was enlarged. Possibly at this time the chimney was added to the wing to make an outer kitchen or bakehouse, or a dower cottage. Minor alterations to the openings were made in the C18 and C19, when the byre was converted to domestic use. Extensive restoration late C20.

Exterior

Two-storey main range facing S, with gabled 2-storey and attic S wing forward on L side (set back from angle of main house). Behind is a centrally-placed outshut (housing the stair and a cider cellar) and a lately added lean-to. Of rubble sandstone with restored stone tile roof; stone stack L of centre in main range and stone end stack to wing. The main range has an added lean-to porch in the angle with the S wing, which has a replaced door to the cross passage. To R of doorway is an inserted 4-light mullioned hall window, with restored 4-light diamond mullion parlour window further R. Beam ends are exposed above the ground floor windows, possibly of a former pentice replaced by the present porch. In the upper storey are C19 half-dormers with replaced casement windows. The R gable end has a restored 4-light diamond mullion window in the 1st floor under a stop-chamfered lintel, and similar restored 2-light window to the attic.

In the rear wall is a 3-light diamond mullion dairy window to L end under a chamfered lintel and drip stone, and to its R a 2-light hall window with ovolo mullions and dripstone. Above is a 2-light casement in a C19 half dormer. The centrally-placed outshut is splayed to avoid the hall window. In its E side wall facing the hall is an inserted 4-light window at low level and a smaller window upper L with C19 leaded glazing in an opening built to light the original stair. The rear of the outshut is set back to R with a 1-light C19 window. In the W side wall, facing the cross-passage doorway, is a 2-light diamond mullion window (with renewed stanchions) lighting the stair, below which is a tablet inscribed 'MM 1686'. The cross-passage doorway is restored and has a boarded door. Above it is a 4-light diamond mullion window. To its R is a lately added lean-to. Further R, and above it in upper storey, are lately added windows with diamond mullions.

The L (W) gable end of the house has a central doorway flanked by windows, all originally doorways to the byre and under timber lintels. In the upper storey is a lately inserted window in an earlier opening, and a ventilation slit beneath the apex.

In the L side wall of the S wing is a casement window in the lower storey (in a former doorway) and a 4-light diamond mullion window above. The wing gable end has a restored 3-light diamond mullion window to L in attic, a vent strip to L in 1st floor and a restored 2-light diamond mullion window to L in lower storey lighting the stair. To R in the lower storey are 2 drip stones and a timber lintel of a former opening, beneath which is a later oven projection. Facing the cross-passage doorway, is an inserted door to R in the porch (replacing an earlier doorway in the opposite wall), and a lately restored 4-light diamond mullion window to R in the upper storey.

Interior

The house retains its C17 plan form of the hall separated from the byre by the cross passage. The hall has a large fireplace with monolithic jambs and lintel, and has cross beams and joists with ogee stops. A post and panel partition has 2 doorways with shaped heads. The stair has wooden treads.

Other internal features recorded by RCAHM Wales are: The S wing has cross beams in both storeys with ogee stops. The fireplace has stone jambs and ogee-stopped chamfered timber lintel, with an inserted bread oven behind it. Stone fireplace stairs leads up to a doorway with shaped head similar and possibly contemporary with the doorways in the hall screen.

Reasons for Listing

Listed Grade II*, Penlan is an exceptionally fine example of a sub-medieval farm house retaining early plan form and good early detail.

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.