Introduction
Castell Malgwyn is an intricate and highly picturesque landscape dating mainly from about 1795-1811.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
- History
18th Century
The house was built in 1795 for Sir Benjamin Hammet, a wealthy entrepreneur from Taunton, Somerset. It is an intricate and highly picturesque landscape dating mainly from about 1795-1811. It survives almost in its entirety. Some work was carried out on the grounds by one of the few Welsh professional landscapers of the period, Charles Price of Llechryd.
The setting for this landscaping is one of extreme beauty, with the contrasting valleys of the Teifi and Morgenau included in the grounds. The parkland was also formed in the 1790s.
The picturesque walks laid out in these valleys are are a rare survival and can be compared with Piercefield (Monmouthshire) and Hafod (Ceredigion). Changes of the 1840s include a lodge, grand entrance, and stable court, all designed by Ambrose Poynter, and a new garden next to the kitchen garden which includes a large fountain.
20th - 21st Century
The house and grounds have been in use as an hotel since 1962.
The house was renamed Hammet House in 2012
Period
- 18th Century
- Late 18th Century
- Associated People
- Features & Designations
Designations
CADW Register of Landscapes Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales
- Reference: PGW(Dy)32(PEM)
- Grade: II*
Scheduled Ancient Monument
- Reference: Castell Malgwyn bridge (Pe 383)
CADW Register of Listed Buildings in Wales
- Reference: Castell Malgwyn
- Grade: II
CADW Register of Listed Buildings in Wales
- Reference: Castell Malgwyn bridge
- Grade: II
CADW Register of Listed Buildings in Wales
- Reference: Castell Malgwyn Lodge
- Grade: II
CADW Register of Listed Buildings in Wales
- Reference: gate piers and gates to Castell Malgwyn Hotel
- Grade: II
CADW Register of Listed Buildings in Wales
- Reference: main farmyard group at Castell Malgwyn Farm
- Grade: II
Features
- House (featured building)
- Description: The house is built in Georgian style of local Cilgerran stone.
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- Stable Block
- Description: The stables are built of Cilgerran stone.
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- Croquet Lawn
- Ornamental Bridge
- Description: The bridge goes over the now-dry canal.
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- Pavilion
- Description: Small wooden pavilion.
- Stream
- Pool
- Kitchen Garden
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- Key Information
Type
Park
Purpose
Ornamental
Principal Building
Commercial
Period
18th Century
Survival
Extant
Hectares
30
Open to the public
Yes
Civil Parish
Manordeifi
- References
References
- CADW, {Register of Landscapes, Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales: Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire} (Cardiff: CADW, 2002) 172 Register of Landscapes, Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales: Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire
- Wyndham, H.P., {A Tour Through Monmouthshire and Wales} (Salisbury, 1781) A Tour Through Monmouthshire and Wales
- {Castell Malgwyn, map proposing road diversions} (1798) Castell Malgwyn, map proposing road diversions
- {Castell Malgwyn, Estate Map} (1820) Castell Malgwyn, Estate Map