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
Principal Building
Historic House
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