History

A C17 lobby-entry 2-unit farmhouse, which contained a heated service room to L and cold parlour to R. The house was extended to the R, probably in the C18; this addition may have been a secondary dwelling. The Duke of Westminster, the former owner of the Llanarmon Estate, may have undertaken this work. The L end is said to have been a stable, converted to part of the house in the late C20.

Pen y Bryn is of historic interest as the birthplace of the notable lyrical poet, John ''''''''Ceiriog'''''''' Hughes (1832-87), winner of the National Eisteddfod in 1848, who is commemorated at the Ceiriog Memorial Institute in Glyn Ceiriog.

Exterior

Long 2-storey 4-window range of whitewashed random stone under a slate roof, with stone stacks to L of centre and R end. Original dwelling comprises 2 window range at centre, with front entrance to L of centre beneath stack; C20 part-lit boarded door with concrete lintel under a gabled porch canopy supported on brackets. The doorway is flanked by renewed 2-light wooden casements, probably in the original openings, with concrete lintels to lower storey, and under the eaves above. Immediately R of the entrance is a polished granite tablet commemorating John ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''Ceiriog'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Hughes, a gift of Phyllis Clare Storey of Plas Nantyr, 1932. The added part to the R, probably a secondary dwelling, is slightly set back and under the same roof. It has a boarded door to the L and a casement window to each storey to the R, as elsewhere. Lean-to against E gable end, with 2 casements to front, that to L replacing a doorway. The far L end of the house, said to have been a stable, has a small window to the upper storey. ( A glazed C20 linking range adjoins at right angles and leads to a converted farm building).

The rear is not whitewashed and has wooden windows renewed in C20; 2-storey rear wing behind ridge stack with small 4-pane windows to gable end. To L of wing is a 2-light casement to each storey. Further L, added range has a gabled dormer with casement, and a 4-pane window below. To R of wing is a small outshut, the roof with skylights. West gable end has a 12-pane horned sash.

Interior

No access to interior at time of inspection.

Reasons for Listing

Listed for its interest as a C17-C18 vernacular farmhouse retaining traditional character, notwithstanding alteration to detail, and also for its historic interest as the birthplace of John ''''''''Ceiriog'''''''' Hughes.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Wikidata Q29504367

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

• 
  Old House Handbook 2 Books Bundle Collection (Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair,Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability)
• 
  The Victorian House Manual (2nd Edition): How They Were Built, Improvements & Refurbishment, Solutions to All Common Defects - Includes Relevant ... ... Properties (Haynes Manual) (Haynes Manuals)
• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  For the Record
• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014