Hafod Uchtryd

Infobox UK place
country = Wales
welsh_name = Hafod Uchtryd
constituency_welsh_assembly =
official_name = The Hafod Estate
latitude = 52.369939
longitude = -3.961772
unitary_wales = Ceredigion
lieutenancy_wales = Dyfed
constituency_westminster = Ceredigion
Assembly_Region = Mid and West Wales
post_town = ABERYSTWYTH
postcode_district = SY23
postcode_area = SY
dial_code = 01970
map_type =
os_grid_reference = SN6676
cardiff_distance_mi = 90
cardiff_distance = SE
Location dec|52.346958|-3.809471|heading:157
population =
population_ref =
static_

static_image_caption = A depiction of the Hafod Estate, circa 1795 by John Warwick Smith.

The estate of Hafod Uchtryd is located in Ceredigion, Wales the Ystwyth valley near Devil's Bridge, Cwmystwyth and Pont-rhyd-y-groes.

The lands of the Hafod Uchtryd were originally part of the Cistercian Abbey Strata Florida (Welsh: "Caron-Uwch-Clawdd"). After the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII (1536-1540) during the English Reformation their holdings were divided and awarded to new tenants. Some of the Strata Florida lands were granted to the Herbert family, who came to Cardiganshire during the reign of Elizabeth I. Sir Richard Herbert of Pengelly and Cwmystwyth was High Sherriff of Cardigan from 22 November 1542.

A rent roll dated 1540 for the granges of Mevenith, Cwmystwyth and Hafodwen (‘newe leases’) reveals that W [illia] m Herbert and Morgan Herbert were tenants of several properties formerly belonging to the Abbey of Strata Florida, including significantly:Havodychdryd Doleygors Pantycrave Bwlch Gwalter parcell of Ty Loge [...] 4 parte of Pwll Piran parte of Pregnant and Blaenmerin and Alltgron. Havodychdryd or Hafod Uchtryd is the name of the house and demesne and the other properties. [http://archifdy-ceredigion.org.uk/dogfennau/1301-Hafod-fonds.pdf The Hafod Collection]

History

The estate became famous in the late 18th century when its owner, Thomas Johnes (1748-1816), developed it as a showpiece of the Picturesque idea of landscape and Gothic house were the subject of many descriptions and images produced by contemporary visitors. The history of the estate is the subject of several books, most notably "Peacocks in Paradise" by Elizabeth Inglis Jonescite book
title=Peacocks in Paradise
author=Elizabeth Inglis-Jones
date=1990
publisher=Gomer press
isbn=0863836720] , and "the Hafod Landscape" by Jennifer Macve.cite book
title=The Hafod Landscape
author=Jennifer Macve
date=2004
isbn=095279411X
publisher=Hafod trust]

The estate lies within the parish of Llanfihangel y Creuddyn. [http://www.dyfedfhs.org.uk/cgn/cgnegnd.htm St. Michael (Hafod), Eglwys Newydd, Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn] was a chapel-of-ease in that parish, and was rebuilt by James Wyatt in 1801, for Thomas Johnes. It is near Llanddewi-Brefi. The word Hafod is Welsh for a summer dwelling.

The estate shares a border along the river Ystwyth with the Trawsgoed Crosswood estate.

The Golden Years

Between 1790 and 1810, were the golden years at Hafod. Between 1782 and 1813 approximately 405 and 485 hectares (1000-1200 acres) of forest, mainly European Larch and Scots Pine was planted on high ground, with Oak and Beech on the lower, more fertile land. In spite of two months of little rain, of 80,000 larch planted in April 1796, only 200 died. Following a visit to the estate in 1798 by Charles, 11th Duke of Norfolk, the President of the Royal Society of Arts, Johnes was encouraged to offer himself for the awards made by the Society for silviculture. He was awarded five Gold Medals as follows: [http://www.rsatrees.org/future/casestudies.php?action=view&newsID=3 Royal Society of Arts Awards] ]

*1800 - The Gold Medal, being the Premium offered for planting Larch – Trees was this Session adjudged to Thomas Johnes MP of Hafod.

*1801 – The Gold Medal, being the Premium offered for sowing, planting, and inclosing Timber-trees, was this Session adjudged to Thomas Johnes MP of Hafod.

*1802 - The Gold Medal, being the Premium offered for sowing, planting, and enclosing Timber-trees was this session adjudged to Thomas Johnes MP of Hafod

*1805 – The Gold Medal of the Society was this Session adjudged to Thomas Johnes MP of Hafod, in Cardiganshire, for his plantations of Oaks.

*1810 - The Gold Medal of the Society was this Session adjudged to Thomas Johnes, Esq. MP of Hafod in Cardiganshire, for his Plantations of Larch and other trees.

Approximately 3 million trees were planted on the estate during the tenancy of Colonel Johnes.

Demolition

Between 1940 and 1946 Hafod changed hands three times and was owned in turn by W. G. Tarrant,T. E. Davies and J. J. Rennie. The mansion was declared vacant in 1946. By 1958 the house wasderelict and it was demolished that year. Only the stables remain, as the current estate offices, and a large pile of rubble. Other isolated buildings and cottages also survive, at least one of which may be rented as holiday accommodation.

Today

Today the Hafod estate occupies some 200 hectares of the Ystwyth valley and surrounding hills. Most is owned by the Forestry Commission who, in partnership with the Hafod Trust [http://www.hafod.org/ Hafod Estate] ] , is managing a conservation and restoration projects with public and private funding.In 1998, the Hafod Estate received a grant of £330,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. A detailed Management Plan has been prepared and is now being implemented.

The Estate employs one full-time and two part-time management and administrative staff, a horse logger, various contract workers and has recently appointed two crafts-people. Their roles are to ensure that the management plan is carried out to the highest standards.

Visitors to Hafod today can follow many a waymarked walk that capture the ‘Spirit of Place’ which is Hafod. The Estate is very popular with tourists who wish to enjoy some of the most picturesque views and pleasant walks in Wales. The walk are named with titles such as: ‘The Gentleman’s Walk’, ‘The Bedford Monument Walk’ and ‘The Alpine Bridge Walk.’ Tourists of all ages and abilities can enjoy the very essence of Thomas Johnes’ world.

Reference books

* cite book
title=An Attempt to Describe Hafod
author=George Cumberland
origdate=1796
date=1996
isbn=0952794101
publisher=Hafod trust, includes a map engraved by William Blake and pencil sketches by Thomas Johnes.
* cite book
title=An Attempt to Depict Hafod
author=David Yerburgh
date=2000
isbn=0953563510
publisher=Hafod trust, a modern photographic parallel to " 'An Attempt to Describe Hafod' "

Notes

External links

* [http://archifdy-ceredigion.org.uk/dogfennau/1301-Hafod-fonds.pdf The Hafod Collection]
* [http://www.hafod.org/ Hafod Estate]
* [http://www.hafod.org/pdf/hafod-leaflet.pdf Hafod Estate Brochure]