Short Description
This was a significant landscape designed according to the principles of the Picturesque, and an essential destination for tourists in the late-18th to early-19th centuries. The mid-20th-century forested landscape is undergoing restoration to reveal the original Picturesque structure and scenic walks.
Visitor Facilities
Free car park (and portaloo). Small disabled car park near office. Nine miles of way-marked walks (free). Guided walks by arrangement. Online guidebook available.Terrain
upland, hilly- Features
Plant Environment
- Environment
- Woodland Garden
Style
- Picturesque
- Stable Block
- Description: L-shaped building now converted to estate offices.
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- Obelisk
- Description: Monument to 5th Duke of Bedford, designed by W. Pocock.
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- Ornamental Bridge
- Description: Chain Bridge across Ystwyth Gorge, restored 2003.
- Mansion House (featured building)
- Description: Original building in Gothic style by Thomas Baldwin in 1784, additions by John Nash 1793-4; rebuilt after 1807 fire within same walls; extended in Italian Gothic style by Anthony Salvin 1847-50. The house as demolished in 1958.
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- Walk
- Description: Lady's Walk: circuit walk linking mansion to church and visiting Flower Garden and Peiran Falls.
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- Walk
- Description: Gentleman's Walk: circuit walk on south bank of Ystwyth, visiting two caves, numerous cascades, ancient woodland.
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- Walk
- Description: New Walk, now known as Ystwyth Gorge Walk: visits spectacular river scenery and restored chain bridge.
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- Access & Directions
Access Contact Details
http://www.hafod.org/walks.htmlDirections
http://www.hafod.org/directions.html
- Authorities
Civil Parish
- Ysbyty Ystwyth
- History
History
This Picturesque landscape was laid out by Thomas Johnes (1748-1816) around his newly-built mansion. Subsequent owners changed little apart from ornamental plantings in the parkland. The Forestry Commission bought the estate in 1950. The house was demolished in 1958.
Period
- 18th Century
- Late 18th Century
- Associated People
- Contact
Telephone
01443 336000Official Website
Owners
Forestry Commission (Welsh Assembly)
Victoria Terrace, Aberystwyth, SY23 2DQ
- References
References
- CADW, Register of Landscapes, Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales: Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire (Cardiff: CADW, 2002)Register of Landscapes, Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales: Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire
- Palmer, C., P. David and R Laidlaw, {Historic parks and Gardens in Ceredigion} (Talybont, 2006)Historic Parks and Gardens in Ceredigion
- Macve, J., {The Hafod Landscape An Illustrated History and Guide} (Ystrad Meurig, 2004)The Hafod Landscape
- Cumberland, G., {An Attempt to Describe Hafod} (Aberystwyth: Hafod Trust, 1996)An Attempt to Describe Hafod
Contributors
Jennifer Macve
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