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Towy Valley Historic Landscape Characterisation

Cynghordy Llangathen Nantgaredig - Derwen Fawr Llanarthne Gerddi Botaneg Genedlaethol Llangunnor Ystrad Tywi: Carmarthen-Llandeilo Ystrad Tywi :Carmarthen Croesyceilog - Cwmffrwd Abergwili - Llanegwad Parish Morfa Melyn Abergwili Carmarthen Tywi Tidal Flood Plain Llangynog Golden Grove Allt Pant Mawr Llanfihangel Aberbythych Llandeilo Dryslwyn Dinefwr Park Allt Tregib Ystrad Tywi Bethlehem Carn Goch Garn Wen Cwmifor-Maordeilo Felindre Abermarlais Llansadwrn - Llanwrda Llangadog Cefngornnoeth Maes Gwastad Ystrad Tywi: Llangadog-Llandovery Llanwrda Parish Llanymddyfri Llwynhowell Maesllyddan Fforest Nant-y-Ffin Nant y ffin Craig ddu Dinas Craig y Bwlch Cilycwm Rhandirmwyn

This is a summary, for further information click on the photograph

Base maps reproduced from the OS map with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, © Crown Copyright 2001. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number: GD272221

179 Llangynog Llangain character area consists of rolling landscape of small irregular fields, woodland and plantations on steep valley sides and dispersed farms, with small scale modern residential development close to Carmarthen.

180 Tywi Tidal Flood Plain character area is subjected to regular flooding and consequently has few historic landscape components apart from drainage ditches and fences, and navigation aids in the channel of the Tywi.

181 Carmarthen character area comprises the whole of the county town, including the historic core, 20th century housing development and infrastructure.

182 Ystrad Tywi: Carmarthen-Llandeilo character area comprises of the flood plain of the River Tywi. Widely dispersed farms on islands of marginally higher ground, and distinctive hedgerow trees lend a parkland appearance to the landscape.

183 Abergwili - Llanegwad Parish character area lies on the northern side of the River Tywi and essentially consists of small irregular fields of improved pasture, deciduous woodland on steep valley sides and dispersed stone-built farms.

184 Morfa Melyn character area is that small portion of the flood plain of the River Tywi upstream of Carmarthen that is subjected to occasional tidal inundation. It essentially consists of open pasture, with few boundaries.

185 Llangunnor - Llanarthne Parishes character area lies on north-facing slopes on the south side of the Tywi valley and consists of small fields, woodland and dispersed small farms.

186 Abergwili character area consists of a village of mainly 18th- and 19th-century houses along the A40 road (now bypassed), the medieval church, the modern Bishop's Palace of St David's, the old palace (now Carmarthen Museum) and its parkland grounds, and modern residential development.

187 Croesyceilog - Cwmffrwd character area is enclosed into medium-sized fields of improved pasture. Small stands of woodland are mainly confined to steep slopes. The ancient settlement pattern of dispersed farms is supplemented by more recent linear development along main roads that radiate out from Carmarthen.

188 The National Botanic Garden of Wales character area encompasses the old gardens and parkland of Middleton Hall. This landscape is currently undergoing restoration and renewal, including the construction of a large glasshouse

189 Llanarthne character area is centred on Llanarthne village, which has an old core based on the medieval parish church, but contains much modern development, and includes the surrounding rich farmland and dispersed farms.

190 Llanfihangel Aberbythych character area essentially consists of rolling enclosed farmland, woodland on steep valley sides and dispersed farms. 19th- and 20th century residential development is restricted to small hamlets and linear development along main roads.

191 Nantgaredig - Derwen Fawr character area lies across low rolling hills on the north side of the Tywi valley and consists of large dispersed farms in a landscape of small- to medium-sized fields. Modern linear and nucleated development is concentrated along the A40 road which passes through the area.

192 Llangathen character area is centred on Llangathen church and associated settlement, and Aberglasney house and gardens which are currently being restored. The overall landscape is of enclosed pasture and dispersed farms.

193 Golden grove/Gelli Aur character area includes the mansion, gardens and park of Gelli Aur, conifer plantation, parts of which encroach across the former park, and the estate village of Llanfihangel Aberbythych.

194 Allt Pant Mawr character area consists of the heavily wooded slopes of the south side of the Tywi valley. Interspersed with the woodland are smallholdings and cottages set in a distinctive system of small fields.

195 Dinefwr Park character area essentially consists of the 18th- and 19th-century house, gardens and park of Dinefwr together with the castle. The house and most of the park are owned by the National Trust and retain many of their historic elements.

196 Ystrad Tywi: Llandeilo - Llangadog character area comprises the flood plain of the river. There are no settlements and no woodland, though the plain is divided into a rather loose field system of medium- to large-sized enclosures.

201 Cwmifor - Manordeilo character area lies across low rolling hills on the northern side of the Tywi valley. It consists of ancient settlement pattern of dispersed farms, enclosed pasture and small stands of woodland, with 19th- and 20th-century linear and nucleated settlement along the A40 road.

202 Llandeilo character area is urban in character. The historic core of the town which consists mainly of 18th- and 19th -century buildings is grouped close to the A483 road and around the parish church. Later 19th-century and 20th-century development lies outside the core.

203 Allt Tregyb character area lies on north-facing slopes of the Tywi valley and consists of deciduous woodland interspersed with small irregular fields and dispersed small farms, small-holdings and cottages.

204 Felindre character area comprises of a small nucleated settlement of mostly 19th and 20th century houses, outside of which lie several loosely dispersed small-holdings in an enclosed strip field system.

205 Carreg-Sawdde Common character area consists of an unenclosed common, in the centre of which lies a cluster of 19th- and 20th-century buildings - encroachments on to the common land.

206 Llangadog, character area, is centred on the medieval church, Church Street and a small 'square'. Buildings on the square are imposing and 18th- and 19th-century in date. Later 19th-century residential development and 20th century housing and light industrial units lie on the outskirts of the town.

207 Cefngornoeth character area lies across a low, hilly ridge on the north side of the Tywi valley, and consists of dispersed farms, irregular fields and small stands of woodland.

208 Ystrad Tywi: Llangadog-Llandovery character area consists of the flood plain and lower slopes of the Tywi valley. Large dispersed farms and a regular field system characterise the area. Distinctive trees lend a parkland appearance to the landscape.

209 Abermarlais character area is based on the old house, gardens and park of Abermarlais. The house has now gone and the park and gardens decayed. Situated between old deciduous woodland and conifer plantations, the open feel of the park still remains.

210 Llansadwrn - Llanwrda character area contains the two 19th century villages of Llansadwrn and Llanwrda which are set in a landscape of small fields and dispersed farms on low, rolling hills on the northern side of the Tywi valley.

212 Llandovery is an urban character area and consists of the historic core of town which includes the medieval castle and 18th- and 19th-century buildings, together with the outlying parish church, Llanfair-ar-Bryn medieval church and modern development.

213 Maesllydan character area developed out of an open field system. Pasture enclosed into regular fields contains traces of ridge and furrow cultivation. Settlement is predominantly of large dispersed farms.

214 Llwynhowell character area comprises substantial farms distributed along the lower slopes of the River Tywi set in a landscape of small irregular fields of improved pasture, and deciduous woods.

215 Cilycwm character area consists of the small village of Cilycwm and dispersed large farms. These are set in a landscape of irregular fields. The hedges to many fields are overgrown lending a wooded aspect to the area.

216 Rhandirmwyn character area lies in the upper valley. Dispersed farms and 19th century lead mining communities are the dominant settlement types. Fields are small and irregular. Woodland, overgrown hedges and conifer plantations lend this area a heavily wooded aspect.

217 Cwm-y-Rhaeadr character area consist of very steep valley sides. Most of the valley sides have been planted with conifer plantations, but a little open moorland is present. The area lies above the rich farmland of Cilycwm character area.

218 Nant-yFfin character area lies in the upper, steep-sided valley of the Tywi and its tributaries. Historic landscape components consist of dispersed farms - 19th century stone buildings - small irregular fields and deciduous woodland.

219 Craig Ddu character area consists of very steep, craggy valley sides and a high moorland plateau. The valley sides are cloaked with deciduous woodland interspersed with rough grazing and moorland.

220 Dinas character area lies in the upper Tywi valley and consists of steep valley sides covered in dense deciduous woodland, with open moorland on craggy slopes and a high plateau.

221 Craig y Bwch character area comprises of unenclosed upland on the eastern side of the Tywi valley. From the steep valley sides, the area levels out onto an undulating plateau of rough grazing.

222 Carn Goch character area consists of a low hill of open moorland on which lie the massive stone-built ramparts of a major Iron Age fort and a smaller satellite fort.

223 Fforest character area occupies a long ridge between the Tywi and Brān valleys. The field pattern of earth banks and hedges has now largely broken down, and wire fences provide stock-proof barriers. Land is improved or rough grazing, with scrubby woodland on steep slopes.

224 Dryslwyn character area consists of the earthwork and masonry remains of the medieval castle and town of Dryslywn which lie on a low hill within the Tywi valley.

225 Bethlehem character area lies on the south side of the Tywi valley and comprises of a landscape of small, irregular fields, small stands of deciduous woodland and dispersed farms.

226 Garn-wen character area lies on northwest-facing slopes above the Tywi valley. It consists of irregular fields which run out onto high ground above, and two large farms, Garn-wen and Tan-y-lan..

227 Cynghordy character is located on the western valley side of the Afon Brān and the eastern valley side of the Afon Tywi, the area comprises of small, irregular pasture fields, woodland, and dispersed farms.

257 Llanwrda Parish character area lies across rolling hills to the north of the Tywi valley and consists of small irregular fields, dispersed farms and scattered woodland.

Project contact: Ken Murphy