Introduction
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
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Telephone
01443 336000Access contact details
Directions
Owners
Forestry Commission (Welsh Assembly)
Victoria Terrace, Aberystwyth, SY23 2DQ
- History
Period
- Late 18th Century
- 18th Century
- Associated People
- Features & Designations
Designations
CADW Register of Landscapes Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales
- Reference: PGW (Dy) 50 (CER)
- Grade: I
Scheduled Ancient Monument
- Reference: Cavern Cascade (Cd 171 (CER))
Scheduled Ancient Monument
- Reference: Chain bridge & Gothic Arcade (Cd 172 (CER))
Scheduled Ancient Monument
- Reference: Nant Bwlchgwallter (CD 173 (CER))
Scheduled Ancient Monument
- Reference: Peiran Cascade (CD 174 (CER ))
Site of Special Scientific Interest
CADW Register of Listed Buildings in Wales
- Reference: Bedford Monument
- Grade: II
CADW Register of Listed Buildings in Wales
- Reference: Hawthorn Cottage
- Grade: II
CADW Register of Listed Buildings in Wales
- Reference: Kitchen Garden and Associated Buildings
- Grade: II
CADW Register of Listed Buildings in Wales
- Reference: Lower Lodge and gate piers
- Grade: II
CADW Register of Listed Buildings in Wales
- Reference: Stables, Coach house, hay barn
- Grade: II
Ancient and Semi Natural Woodland
Plant Environment
- Woodland Garden
- Environment
Style
Picturesque
Features
- 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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- Key Information
Type
Demesne
Purpose
Forestry
Plant Environment
Woodland Garden
Period
Late 18th Century
Survival
Extant
Hectares
250
Open to the public
Yes
Civil Parish
Ysbyty Ystwyth
Electoral Ward
Lledrod
- 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
- Related Documents
- CLS 1/113/1
Hard Copy
- CLS 1/113/1