Pen-y-clawdd Court

The remains of an adjoining Norman motte and bailey castle known as Penyclawdd Castle are still discernible. Its history is not well documented, but it is thought to date from the late 11th century when Roger de Hastings was building castles in the area. According to the Inquisito post mortem of 1349, conducted during the 22nd year of the reign of Edward III, the manor at the time was in the possession of Laurence Hastings, 1st Earl of Pembroke. The current house probably dates from the early 16th century, and began as a heavily timber-framed structure, but underwent major restructuring between about 1610 and 1625. A wing with a stair tower was added, though it is possible that the other…

Pen-y-Clawdd Court, described by The Welsh Academy encyclopaedia of Wales as "a memorable manor house with splendid chimney stacks", is built in an L-shaped plan on the site of a medieval manor. It comprises three main sections, with a rectangular entrance, a tall wing, known as the Stuart wing on the left, and a kitchen wing on the right. It is built from coursed red sandstone rubble, with a Welsh slate roof. The interior is a maze of rooms set at different levels with low ceilings and a wealth of architectural detail. It retains its 17th century ambience, though many changes were made during refurbishment between 1984 and 1997. The Dining Room is to the right and the Sitting Room to the…