Description
Q3 - If Classification is "Other", specify here
Q4 - Summary Description / Key Patterns and Elements
- This area consists of an undulating and craggy block of land sandwiched between the steep-sided valley of the Rheidol to the south and east, and high, open moorland to the north. Heights vary considerably from 270m at the areas southern limits to almost 400m in the north. Access to the area is only possibly via single-track roads over the high moorland to the north. No road leads down into the Rheidol valley. The historic landscape consists of dispersed farms, houses and cottages with a loose cluster of buildings at Ystumtuen hamlet, set within a patchwork of small, irregular enclosures (some of which are of improved pasture), unenclosed craggy slopes and summits, peaty hollows, spoil heaps and old buildings of the lead mining industry, and small reservoirs built to serve the mines. Earth and stone banks divide the enclosures. Hedges are now rare apart from those on the lower slopes to the south and east, but even here they are becoming overgrown and derelict and are supplemented by wire. Elsewhere wire fences are the main stock proof barriers.
Local stone is the traditional building material with slate (north Wales slate) used for roofs. Walls are either cement rendered or left bare on houses, and always bare on traditional farm buildings. There is a mixture of agricultural holding and industrial housing. Older farmhouses/houses almost entirely date to the mid-to-late 19th century, are relatively small, of two storeys and in the typical Georgian vernacular style. On farms this consists of gable end chimneys, a central front door, and two windows either side of the door and one above. Industrial houses are smaller. Vernacular traits such as low eaves, small windows and one chimney larger than the other are present on most houses. Stone-built outbuildings are generally confined to one or two small ranges, with some attached and in-line to the house. Working farms have small ranges of modern steel and concrete agricultural buildings. There are several modern houses/bungalows in the area, and some of the older houses have been extensively modernised and extended.
The remains of the lead mining industry are ever-present. Spoil heaps are the most obvious reminder of the industry, but old stone buildings comprise a distinct and important component of the historic landscape. The mine buildings are beginning to deteriorate; some spoil heaps have been quarried to provide hard-core.
Recorded archaeology in this area consists almost entirely of remains of the metal mining industry or of post-Medieval deserted settlements.
This is distinct landscape area with a clear boundary between it and its neighbours. To the south and east is the heavily wooded valley of the Rheidol. Unenclosed moorland lies to the north, and more fertile, less undulating and craggy land to the west.
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)
- Irregular Fieldscapes
- Marginal Land
- Non-nucleated Settlement
- Other Settlement
- Extractive
- Processing/Manufacturing
Q6 - If working at level 4 ,which other 'details' are also significant to the historic character of this area? (Please tick all that apply)
Q7 - If working at level 4 only, which building types prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)
Q8 - If working at level 4 only, which periods prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)
Q9 - If working at level 4 only, which architectural types prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)
Q10 - If working at level 4 only, which traditional walling materials prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)
Q11 - If working at level 4 only, which traditional roofing materials prevail in the area? (select up to three)
Q12 - Which traditional boundary types prevail in the area?
- Hedgebank
- Earth/Turf Bank
- Post & Wire Fence
Q13 - What is the nature of any archaeological interest in the area?
- Buried-dry
- Buildings & Structures
- Industrial Archaeology
Q14 - Which chronological period is visually dominant in the area?
- Post Medieval (1536+)
- Industrial
Q15 - Is this a Historic Landscape Character Area (HLCA)? If yes, provide detail
Q16 - HLCA description url
Q17 - Are there Scheduled Monuments here?
Q18 - Are there Listed Buildings here?
Q19 - Are there Registered Historic Parks and Gardens here?
Q20 - Are there Conservation Areas here?
Q20a - Are there Historic Battlefields here?
Q21 - Are there World Heritage Sites here?
Q22 - Is this within a Registered Historic Landscape (RHL)?
Q22a - Registered Historic Landscape description
Condition
Recommendations
Q26 - Existing management
Q27 - Management recommendations
- Existing management retains the essentially agricultural character of the landscape. Most of the historic landscape components in this area are in a reasonable state of preservation. Some mining features are deteriorating. Continue present agricultural management to retain landscape character, retaining field boundaries, settlement patterns, dispersed settlement and appearance of traditional buildings. Conserve historic landscape elements, especially mining features, where possible. Develop conservation strategy for mining features. .
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
Aspect Area Boundary
Q30 - To what level was this information site-surveyed?
Q31 - At 1:10,000, how much of the Aspect Area boundary is precise?
Q32 - What baseline information source was used for Aspect Area boundary mapping?
Q33 - If OS Data was used, what was the scale?
Q34 - What is the justification for the Aspect Area boundaries?
Evaluation
Q35 - Evaluation Criteria: Integrity
Q36 - Evaluation Criteria: Survival
Q37 - Evaluation Criteria: Condition
Q38 - Evaluation Criteria: Rarity
Q39 - Evaluation Criteria: Potential
Q40 - Evaluation Criteria: Overall Evaluation
Q41 - Justification of overall evaluation
- LANDMAP criteria, supported by field visits and local knowledge.
Information Sources
Q42 - Sources and additional assessments
- Ordnance Survey mapping. Regional HER, AP coverage; HLC description. 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?
Q44 - Are there any folklore/ legends associated with the landscape/area?
Q45 - Are there any events/traditions associated with the landscape/area?
Q46 - Are any famous people associated with the landscape/area?
Q47 - Are there any technical / scientific discoveries associated with the landscape/area?
Q48 - List of Historic Placenames
- https://rcahmw.gov.uk/discover/list-of-historic-place-names/
