Mosshouse Wood Cascade, Tonna, Neath Port Talbot

Coordinates

Latitude: 51.6682 / 51°40'5"N

Longitude: -3.7675 / 3°46'3"W

OS Eastings: 277860

OS Northings: 198085

OS Grid: SS778980

Mapcode National: GBR H4.631Q

Mapcode Global: VH5GN.NB3H

Plus Code: 9C3RM69J+7X

Entry Name: Mosshouse Wood Cascade

Listing Date: 25 February 2000

Last Amended: 25 February 2000

Grade: II

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 22870

Building Class: Gardens, Parks and Urban Spaces

ID on this website: 300022870

Location: On the NE side of the Gnoll Estate E of Mosshouse Wood reservoir.

County: Neath Port Talbot

Community: Tonna

Locality: Gnoll Estate

Traditional County: Glamorgan

Tagged with: Architectural structure

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History

The extensive park and grounds at the Gnoll were laid out for Sir Humphrey Mackworth in 1724-7 and were centred upon fish ponds (that also supplied water to his copper works) and cascades. The informal upper cascade in Mosshouse Wood was added in the 1740s by an unknown designer, working for Herbert Mackworth. The grotto beside the cascade was also added at this time. Follies were later added in the 1780s by Sir Herbert Mackworth, which included a gazebo above the grotto and the Ivy Tower. The late C18 was the heyday of the Gnoll grounds, although it was revived in the C19 by the Grant family and Charles Evan Thomas. The latter came to an agreement with Neath Corporation for the building of Mosshouse Wood reservoir, which is dated 1889. The estate was acquired by the local authority in 1923. The house was demolished in 1957. The cascade was restored in 1984-5.

Exterior

Comprising a series of cascades descending a steep ravine approximately 200m in length. At the top is a restored rubble stone cairn over which the water descends fed from a pipe taking water from a stream higher up. The cascades are partly cut from bedrock and partly constructed of stone blocks laid dry. At the bottom is a rustic footbridge with a segmental arch of thin voussoirs and a grass-covered deck.

Reasons for Listing

Listed, notwithstanding restoration, as a prominent man-made feature of an important landscape garden, and for group value with the adjacent grotto.

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

II Grotto in Gnoll Estate
At the NE end of the Gnoll Estate on the hillside immediately W of the informal cascade.
II Ivy Tower
Approximately 0.7km S of Tonna church, prominently sited on high ground to the E of Dan-y-lan Farm.
II Penlan-fach bridge
On an unclassified road to Wenallt Farm approximately 1km ESE of Tonna church spanning a stream and the former Glyncorrwg Mineral Railway.
II Church of St Anne
Set back on the S side of the main B4434 through the village.
II Nazareth Chapel
On the S side of the main B4434 through the village on the E side of the junction with School Road, and set back from the main road behind a railed forecourt.
II Tyn yr Heol
Set back from the main B4434 through the village 0.7km SW of Tonna church. In its own grounds with rubble boundary wall and stone gate-piers to the drive.
II Lock House
On the S side of the Neath Canal facing the lock. The house backs on to and stands at the foot of Lock Hill on the N side of Henfaes Road.
II Stable at Neath Canal Depot
On the E side and in the garden of Lock House on the S side of the Neath Canal.

British Listed Buildings

History in Structure

Mosshouse Wood Cascade

A Grade II Listed Building in Tonna, Neath Port Talbot