The Jubilee Arch, Pontarfynach, Ceredigion

Coordinates

Latitude: 52.3642 / 52°21'50"N

Longitude: -3.8149 / 3°48'53"W

OS Eastings: 276519

OS Northings: 275561

OS Grid: SN765755

Mapcode National: GBR 93.S5CY

Mapcode Global: VH4FP.TVL0

Plus Code: 9C4R957P+M3

Entry Name: The Jubilee Arch

Listing Date: 16 March 2005

Last Amended: 16 March 2005

Grade: II*

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 84267

Building Class: Commemorative

Also known as: Hafod Arch
The Arch

ID on this website: 300084267

Location: Crossing the B4574 some 2.8km SE of Devil's Bridge.

County: Ceredigion

Town: Aberystwyth

Community: Pontarfynach

Locality: Hafod

Traditional County: Cardiganshire

Tagged with: Triumphal arch

Find accommodation in
Pentre-briwnant

History

Gothic arch built over the old turnpike road to Devil's Bridge in 1809-10 for Thomas Johnes of Hafod to celebrate the golden jubilee of King George III in 1810. The idea came from a Gothic arch constructed over the London to Bath road at Park Place, Berkshire, and the design was copied by Johnes' friend George Cumberland in 1806. The builder Charles James of Llanddewi Brefi may have been involved as he is referred to as the 'inventor' of the 'romantic arch' at Hafod.
In the account of the laying of the foundation stone, the design was said to be by an 'eminent architect'. Johnes then held a dinner for over a hundred tenants at the Hafod Arms. The road was then the main road from Aberystwyth to London.
A C20 metal plaque states that arch was erected 1810 for jubilee of George III and restored 1964 by the Forestry Commission, Cardiganshire County Council, and Cardiganshire Antiquarian Society.

Exterior

Arch, rubble stone, large scale with 'rustic' stonework of large blocks with joints recessed to give impression of dry-stone walling. Two broad tapering piers each side supporting a narrower segmental pointed arch of stone voussoirs with some infill of spandrels but voussoirs only at crown. Arch is twisted slightly.

Reasons for Listing

Graded II* as a picturesque Gothic stone arch of considerable scale, a rarity in Wales, and as an important commission of Thomas Johnes of Hafod.

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 Barn and attached wall at Gelmast
On W side of farmstead at Gelmast, defining W side, and S wall of farmstead.
II Gelmast Farm including attached dairy and cowhouse, cartshed and stable, and yard wall.
Between Cwmystwyth and Devil's Bridge, to NE of B4574, about 1.2km E of The Arch, best approached from track near bridge over Nant Peiran.
II Hay barn to E of farmyard at Bodcoll
On the east side of the farmyard at Bodcoll, some 85m south of the farmhouse.
II Former cartshed and stable or bull-house at Bodcoll
On the NE side of the farmyard at Bodcoll, some 85m south of the farmhouse.
II Former corn barn and stable at Bodcoll
On the north side of the farmyard at Bodcoll, some 65m south of the house.
II Cowshed to SW of farmyard including pitched walkway
On the SW side of the farmyard at Bocoll, some 85m S of the farmhouse.
II Pigsties at Bodcoll
To the north of the farmyard, some 50m south of the farmhouse.
II Bodcoll
In a prominent position on the NE side of the valley of the Afon Mynach some 1.2km SE of Devil's Bridge.

British Listed Buildings

History in Structure

The Jubilee Arch

A Grade II* Listed Building in Pontarfynach, Ceredigion