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Survey Details for CYNONHL290 - 2026-06-04

CYNONHL290

Historic Landscape

Llanfabon and Llanbradach

Bridgend-Caerphilly-Rhondda

2017-03-15

  • Level 1: Rural environment
  • Level 2: Agricultural
  • Level 3: Irregular Fieldscapes

Monitoring

Q1 - Date of monitoring?

  • 2017-03-15

Q1a - Monitoring undertaken by

  • Historic Landscape change detection work completed by the relevant Welsh Archaeological Trust for this area, the planning authority have been included. Quality Assurance of change detection work was completed by Trysor. SmartData analysis and update using Designated Historic Asset GIS Data for questions 17, 18, 19, 20 (2025-2026)

Q1b - Has this record been updated following monitoring work?

  • This record remains unchanged following monitoring work

Q1c - Change indicated by

  • No Answer

Q1d - What has changed?

  • No Answer

Q1e - Has the information ever been verified in the field?

  • Yes
    • Level 3/ 1:10,000 and 1:25,000

Q2 - Does this area have a special or functional link with an adjacent area?

  • No

Description

Q3 - If Classification is "Other", specify here

  • Empty value

Q4 - Summary Description / Key Patterns and Elements

  • An enclosed agricultural landscape bounded to the east by the Rhymni Valley transport corridor (CynonHL701), and to the west by the Cwm Tāf Valley side (CynonHL448) and Pontypridd transport corridor (CynonHL977). The unenclosed moorland of Mynydd Eglwsilan (CynonHL878) defines the aspect areas southern boundary whilst the town of Nelson borders the north of the aspect area. Modern planted forestry dominates the area to the south of the aspect at Llanbradach with ancient and semi-natural woodland scattered across the area at Coed Llanbradach, Coed y Graig and Coed Pant-du Isaf. The aspect area is dominated by irregular fieldscapes and dispersed isolated Post-medieval farmsteads. A cairn cemetery and several possible Bronze Age standing stones represent the prehistoric period within this aspect area. In 1976 the RCAHMW described a group of five stony mounds at Bryn Owen Farm to the south of the aspect area; they were thought to be Bronze Age burials and considered to be ''classic'' examples of their type. A further mound and two standing stones recorded by Caple & Owen-John (1987) have since been discounted as a later post-medieval spoil heap and boundary markers. The Roman presence is almost unrepresented; however one coin was recovered from Fid-Gelyn, near Llanfabon. The house forms within the aspect area generally belong to the post-medieval period with many later alterations. A dominant pattern to the development of these houses is their medieval longhouse origins; many, including Bryn Owen Farmhouse, still have original medieval features attached to the properties, in this case an internal cow shed. Llechwenlydan, a two-and-a-half storey two-unit, direct-entry house built in c1600, with 18th century modifications, has the appearance of a long-house but without intercommunication, and retains a hall ceiling with corn-drying rollers above the fireplace. A genuine medieval hut platform survives to the far south of the aspect area on the slopes of Graig Wyllt. Small-scale industrial activities took place in the aspect area in the form of quarries and coal Levels. A coalmine, at Llanfabon, is mentioned in a ''compotus'' or ministers account for the year 1281; however this claim at present remains unsubstantiated. Two Levels are recorded at Ffynnon Rhingyll, one with an arched structure is just visible beneath an over burden of soil. Penywaun boasts an airshaft and Llanbradach several small limestone quarries. During the laying of a gas-pipeline a tramroad was discovered immediately southeast of Nelson. Interestingly this aspect area would appear to represent continuity in the settlement record, in its present form, from the medieval period into the present. Although this aspect was occupied in the Bronze Age and later periods, the landscape as we see it today is the result of agricultural and, to a lesser degree, industrial activities.

Q5 - If working at level 3, the classification describes the dominant historic pattern, but which other patterns are important to the historical pattern of this area? (Tick all that apply)

  • Woodland

Q6 - If working at level 4 ,which other 'details' are also significant to the historic character of this area? (Please tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q7 - If working at level 4 only, which building types prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q8 - If working at level 4 only, which periods prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q9 - If working at level 4 only, which architectural types prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q10 - If working at level 4 only, which traditional walling materials prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q11 - If working at level 4 only, which traditional roofing materials prevail in the area? (select up to three)

  • No Answer

Q12 - Which traditional boundary types prevail in the area?

  • Hedgerow
  • Hedgerow With Trees
  • Dry Stone Walls
  • Post & Wire Fence
  • Cut Drainage

Q13 - What is the nature of any archaeological interest in the area?

  • Buildings & Structures

Q14 - Which chronological period is visually dominant in the area?

  • Post Medieval (1536+)

Q15 - Is this a Historic Landscape Character Area (HLCA)? If yes, provide detail

  • No

Q16 - HLCA description url

  • No Answer

Q17 - Are there Scheduled Monuments here?

  • No

Q18 - Are there Listed Buildings here?

  • Yes
    • Number of Listed Buildings in this area: 5

Q19 - Are there Registered Historic Parks and Gardens here?

  • No
    • Checked January 2025, no change.

Q20 - Are there Conservation Areas here?

  • Yes
    • Checked and change updated January 2025.1 overlap(s)

Q20a - Are there Historic Battlefields here?

  • No Answer

Q21 - Are there World Heritage Sites here?

  • No

Q22 - Is this within a Registered Historic Landscape (RHL)?

  • No

Q22a - Registered Historic Landscape description

  • No Answer

Condition

Q23 - Unused

  • No Answer

Q24 - Condition:

  • Unassessed

Q25 - Trend:

  • Constant

Recommendations

Q26 - Existing management

  • Unassessed

Q27 - Management recommendations

  • Empty value

Q28 - Sector Adaptation Plan

  • Historic Environment and Climate Change in Wales Sector Adaptation Plan. https://cadw.gov.wales/sites/default/files/2020-02/Adaptation%20Plan%20-%20FINAL%20WEB%20-%20English%20%281%29.pdf Assessment of likely impacts of climate change on historic assets and significance p8-11. Buildings and Settlements p23 Marginal and upland p26 Marine and coastal p28 Rivers, canals and freshwater p30 Farmland p33 Woodland p36 Industrial landscapes p38 Designed landscapes, parks and gardens p40 Historic landscapes p42

Q29 - Unused

  • No Answer

Aspect Area Boundary

Q30 - To what level was this information site-surveyed?

  • Level 3

Q31 - At 1:10,000, how much of the Aspect Area boundary is precise?

  • All

Q32 - What baseline information source was used for Aspect Area boundary mapping?

  • OS Landline

Q33 - If OS Data was used, what was the scale?

  • 1:10,000 and 1:25,000

Q34 - What is the justification for the Aspect Area boundaries?

  • A regular fieldscape with natural woodland that is bordered on the west by the urban area of Pontypridd (Cynon HL977); by the marginal land of Cynon HL878 to the south, and also by the built up area of Ystrad Mynach to the west and Nelson to the north.

Evaluation

Q35 - Evaluation Criteria: Integrity

  • High
    • The aspect area is dominated by an irregular fieldscape and dispersed isolated farmsteads of medieval and post-medieval origin, a landscape pattern which has remained largely unchanged since the time of the OS 1st edition map, although there has been some limited encroachment by 20th century housing development on the northern and eastern edges of the aspect area.

Q36 - Evaluation Criteria: Survival

  • High
    • The overall landscape pattern, characterised by an irregular, rural fieldscape and isolated, dispersed farmsteads, has survived largely intact since the late 19th century. The archaeological record in this area is diverse; several Bronze Age cairn sites have been identified on the SE periphery of the aspect area at Bryn Owen, near Llanbradach (GGAT PRN 00967m), while Heol Fawr, extending NW-SE from Nelson towards Llanbradach, has been suggested as forming part of a Roman road alignment, although this identification has been challenged (Savory, 1954). A number of possible medieval field systems have been identified at Ton-Teilwr (NPRN 24334) and Pen-y-Waun to the NE of Llanfabon, where the parish church of St Mabon (GGAT PRN 00677m) is probably early medieval in origin, although there is little evidence of a settlement focus in this vicinity. At least two farmhouses in the area retain medieval features or fabric, namely Bryn Owen (GGAT PRN 02195m) and Llechwenlydan (GGAT PRN 02198m) while two particularly well-preserved 16th-17th century houses survive within the aspect area, at Llanbradach Fawr (GGAT PRN 01382m) and Taranymwrthwl (GGAT PRN 01380m) (Newman, 2000, 373-4).

Q37 - Evaluation Criteria: Condition

  • Moderate

Q38 - Evaluation Criteria: Rarity

  • Moderate
    • Of moderate rarity as one of two surviving areas of extensive irregular field enclosure within the SE corner of the Caerphilly/RCT historic landscape (the others being Cynon HL308 and HL448).

Q39 - Evaluation Criteria: Potential

  • High
    • This area has not been subject to a detailed historic landscape characterisation; consequently, there is significant potential for further investigation of the origins and development of this multi-period landscape, both in terms of field survey and desk-based research (aerial reconnaissance, documentary study). The settlement pattern, characterised by substantial, isolated farmhouses of medieval/post-medieval date, particularly merits detailed study.

Q40 - Evaluation Criteria: Overall Evaluation

  • High
    • A reasonably well-preserved irregular fieldscape of medieval/post-medieval origin exhibiting evidence of prehistoric, Roman, medieval and post-medieval activity; the overall assessment of 'high' is based on the excellent preservation of the fieldscape and the diverse multi-period nature of the archaeological resource.

Q41 - Justification of overall evaluation

  • A reasonably well-preserved irregular fieldscape of medieval/post-medieval origin exhibiting evidence of prehistoric, Roman, medieval and post-medieval activity; the overall assessment of 'high' is based on the excellent preservation of the fieldscape and the diverse multi-period nature of the archaeological resource.

Information Sources

Q42 - Sources and additional assessments

  • Newman, J, 1995, The Buildings of Wales: Glamorgan. University of Wales Press, Penguin Books, London. Ordnance Survey, 1884/5, First Edition 6' Map. Ordnance Survey, 1900/1, Second Edition 6' Map. Ordnance Survey, 1921, Third Edition 6' Map. Ordnance Survey, 1998, Rhondda and Merthyr Tydfil. 1:25000, Explorer 166. Southampton. Questions 17, 18, 19, 21, 22 Designated Historic Asset GIS Data, The Welsh Historic Environment Service (Cadw), 14/02/25, licensed under the Open Government Licence http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Living Heritage

Q43 - Are there any art/artistic expressions associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q44 - Are there any folklore/ legends associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q45 - Are there any events/traditions associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q46 - Are any famous people associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q47 - Are there any technical / scientific discoveries associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q48 - List of Historic Placenames

  • https://rcahmw.gov.uk/discover/list-of-historic-place-names/