PGW(Dy)11(CAM)

Pantglas  

II  

01/02/2022  

Designated  

Carmarthenshire  

Llanfynydd  

254892  

225746  

Gardens, Parks and Urban Spaces  

Formal terraces & gardens around house; informal plantings of woody exotics and shrubs towards the lake; small classical bridge leading to woodland walks & parkland.  

About 1853  

Pantglas lies some 12km (8 miles) to the north-east of Carmarthen and just over a mile to the north-west of the ancient settlement of Llanfynydd. It is registered for the survival of much of its Victorian gardens, including a lake, that were constructed to complement the now-demolished Italianate mansion of c.1853. Although the house has gone the tower survives and has been consolidated to form a Grade II Listed folly (LB 11144). There is also group value with the Grade II Listed former stable and coach block and an ornamental bridge in the grounds (LBs 11128 & 11145). Rare exotic plantings also survive. The house was surrounded by about 26 acres of woodland and garden, including a walled garden, ornamental bridge and water features, occupying both sides of a small valley sloping gently to the south-west. Before it went out of use in 1919 the main drive was from the south, through a grand entrance at South Lodge, following the valley contour through woodland and across fields to the south-east front of the former house. The entrance to the north drive, at North Lodge, is now the main access along a drive that divides west to the walled garden and south downslope towards the house site. A short drive from the Keeper's Lodge (now Gardener's lodge) was the tradesman's or workman's entrance close to the walled garden. The lake with central island, to the south of the house, is an important visual feature with views from it down valley to the south. It had been drained between the First and Second World Wars after the house became an asylum, but was later reinstated. To the north-east of the lake is a small classical (listed) bridge and, further north-east, a smaller pond. The area around the lake was one of specimen trees underplanted with rhododendron, formal borders and gravel paths. Aside from the southern drive the walks and borders have disappeared, although many exotic plantings survive. South-west of the house is the terrace garden, now a sloping grass area with remnants of the original planting regime but used to be an area of gravel paths surrounding a croquet lawn originally with a (possible) central fountain and a path down to the lake. The kitchen garden, contemporary with the house (c.1853), is situated to the north corner of the garden area. It is a rectangular area of more than 1.5 acres enclosed by walls up to 3m high, mostly of stone though brick was used for the stove flues on the external south wall and the internal south-facing (north) wall has been lined with brick to retain the heat from the sun longer. Against the internal south wall survive the potting sheds, stores and gardener's room. The interior is otherwise used as a leisure and recreation area, with a swimming pool and tennis courts. Setting - Pantglas lies in a hilly, rural landscape in south Carmarthenshire. Changes of ownership and land use since the First World War have led to some loss of historic character but much has survived. Significant views - From the southern edge of the lake there were once fine views down the valley to the south, towards Court Henry and Paxton's Tower (PGW(Dy)49(CAM)). Sources: Cadw 2002: Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, 58-61 (ref: PGW(Dy)11(CAM)). Ordnance Survey 25-inch maps: sheets Carmarthenshire XXXII.8 (editions of 1887 & 1906). Additional notes: D.K.Leighton