CPAT Regional Sites & Monuments Record

PRN 16360 - Bontdolgadfan (multiple site)

NGR :- SH8800 (SH80SE)
Unitary authority :- Powys
Community :- Llanbrynmair
Prefered site type :- Multiperiod - Settlement (Multiple - Intact )

1 Location

1.1 Bontdolgadfan is situated in western Montgomeryshire, just off the B4518. It is 14km east of Machynlleth.

1.2 The small bridge that crosses Afon Twymyn, a tributary of the Dovey, acts as a focus for this settlement. Dwellings have spread up the steeper, eastern slopes of the valley adjacent to the road, but the densest concentrations exist close to the valley floor and on the gentler western slope.

2 History

2.1 Dolgadfan Bridge is first referred to in 1683x7. Translated, the Welsh name means 'the bridge at Cadfan's flat field'.

2.2 The bridge lay on the old drovers' route from Machynlleth to Welshpool. About 1800 a factory was built here by John Howell, reinforcing its significance as a centre for the already existing flannel weaving industry. By the end of the 19th century the industry had died out.

3 Buildings and Archaeology

3.1 There are no records of important buildings in the settlement.

4.1 A large pebble with a carved human face (PAR 1310), perhaps of Iron Age date, was found in the river close to the bridge over twenty years ago. Otherwise nothing of archaeological significance has been noted in the area.

Sources:-
Colyer, R , 1984 , Roads and Trackways of Wales , 135
Ellis, D M , 1935 , Enwau Lleoedd Sir Drefaldwyn. Parts 1 - 8 , 65
Silvester, R J , 1992 , Montgomeryshire Historic Settlements , CPAT report 40 October 1992 .
Silvester, R J , 1992 , Montgomeryshire Historic Settlements , CPAT report 40 October 1992 .
Tithe Survey , 1841 , ,

record created 31/12/95 , last updated 04/01/96
The above data are supplied by CPAT in partnership with its Local Authorities and the partners of END, © CPAT SMR partnership, 2003 (and in part © Crown, 2003)



CM - 15/11/03 ( 15:52:12 ) - HTML file produced from CPAT's Regional SMR
Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust, Curatorial Section, 7a Church Street, Welshpool, Powys SY21 7DL.
tel (01938) 553670 , fax (01938) 552179, email trust@cpat.org.uk , website www.cpat.org.uk