History in Structure

Whitewell Ruins - structure A

A Grade I Listed Building in Penally, Pembrokeshire

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Coordinates

Latitude: 51.658 / 51°39'28"N

Longitude: -4.7558 / 4°45'20"W

OS Eastings: 209484

OS Northings: 199060

OS Grid: SS094990

Mapcode National: GBR GD.9FKD

Mapcode Global: VH2PR.JL5C

Plus Code: 9C3QM65V+5M

Entry Name: Whitewell Ruins - structure A

Listing Date: 14 May 1970

Last Amended: 26 April 1996

Grade: I

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 6004

Building Class: Domestic

ID on this website: 300006004

Location: At the N side of the A4139 about 1 km E of Lydstep. The ruins are situated at the S of a caravan park behind Whitewell Farm.

County: Pembrokeshire

Community: Penally (Penalun)

Community: Penally

Locality: Whitewell Farm

Traditional County: Pembrokeshire

Tagged with: Building

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Lydstep

Exterior

History: The main building (A) is probably datable to the late C14 or C15. It has a vaulted extension of later date. The identity of its original owner has not been ascertained, but it appears to be an early manor house similar to Lydstep Palace. The function of the other buildings is unclear. In the 1601 survey there are two tenants: Whitewell was held by John Thomas, David Meredith and others; in 1609, Owen John Thomas; and in 1618, John Thomas and Davie Meredith.

Description: The Ancient Monument site at Whitewell contains remains of at least three mediaeval buildings and associated walls.

A. The principal building is a large structure about 21 m long by about 7 m wide, ranging N/S, of probably two storeys plus an attic or a loft, to which a later wing has been added at the W side. This wing has the springing of a vaulted undercroft and probably only had one storey above. The main range was said by the Royal Commission (1925) to show evidence that its lower storey was vaulted, but no evidence was found when resurveyed in 1964 or is seen in 1995. The excessive span for vaulting and the lack of collapsed masonry in the interior of the building suggest it was not vaulted. There appear to have been external doors at upper floor level at W and S. Features of the building which may not be original include an attached entrance porch and stairs at the W; a very large oven at the S, extending out from the gable wall; a large arched entrance at the W; and a cross-wall.

There are related low walls partially surrounding the site in masonry of a similar character to the ruins. These and any parts of the mediaeval Whitewell buildings now outside the Ancient Monument boundary are nonetheless included in the listing.

Listed Grade I as an archaeologically important late mediaeval group of buildings, including one of exceptional size probably comparable with the Palace at Lydstep.

Ancient Monument no. Pe 137

References: RCAHM Inventory (1925), p. 291;
NBR site file incl WGT notes, 1964;
Dyfed Arch. Trust S&M PRN 4315.

External Links

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

Other nearby listed buildings

  • I Whitewell Ruins - Structure C
    At the N side of the A4139 about 1 km E of Lydstep. The ruins are situated at the S of a caravan park behind Whitewell Farm.
  • I Whitewell Ruins - Structure B
    At the N side of the A4139 about 1 km E of Lydstep. The ruins are situated at the S of a caravan park behind Whitewell Farm.
  • II Palmerslake Farmhouse
    The farmhouse is reached from a track on the south side of the by-road between Penally and Saint Florence.
  • I Lydstep Palace
    At N of the A4139 in the centre of Lydstep Village, immediately opposite to Lydstep Tavern.
  • II West Lodge
    To S of A4139, at entrance to drive to Lydstep House. The lodge is about 600m NW of the house.
  • II Lydstep House
    On coast at S end of Lydstep Haven.
  • II Corn Mill and Millpond
    50 m E of Norchard farmhouse.
  • II* Norchard
    800 m S of the Ridgeway and 1 km E of Manobier Station

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