Porth Tŷ Mawr

The Herbert family, of Raglan Castle, were Anglo-Welsh nobility whom became predominant in South East Wales in the 15th century. A branch of the family constructed a large mansion at Crickhowell, Cwrt Carw (Cwrt-y-Carw), and Porth-Mawr (Great Gate) was built as a grand gatehouse entrance to the mansion in the late 15th century. The mansion itself was torn down in the 19th century after a serious fire, and a new house was built on the site in around 1825. At the same time, the gatehouse, and the attached wall in which it is set, were given castellated decoration. The gatehouse is built of rubble and is of two-storeys. A spiral staircase leads to a first-storey chamber and the gatehouse has a…