Tan-y-Fynwent

Tan-y-Fynwent is a 2+ storey and cellar house dating from the 18th century. It is constructed of rubble masonry with a moderately pitched quarry slate roof, raking gable parapets set on kneelers, and close eaves. Victorian scalloped eaves boards are also present. Lateral stacks flank a 2-storey staircase wing at the rear. The house has two gabled stone dormers to the top storey, with raking gable parapets and kneelers, and shallow upper sashes to 9-pane windows beneath stone lintels. Tall 12-pane sash windows are on the first floor, with similar fenestration on the ground floor, including a doorway offset to the right of centre. A 19th-century trellis porch with a hipped quarry slate roof features an arched opening, a rectangular fanlight, and a 6-panelled door. The end elevations have a central tier of 12-pane sashes, with smaller windows to the attic, all under stone lintels.

The rear elevation is notable for its symmetry, with a central projecting stair wing flanked by lateral chimneys. It has a hipped slate roof, oversailing eaves, tall rectangular stacks with moulded caps set on rubble bases with raking offsets on kneelers, and quarry slate gablets. A shallow upper sash to a 9-pane window of the stair wing is set under the eaves. A modern outshot is present around the south corner of the house, with a hipped slate roof.

The hall retains a contemporary plaster ceiling, originally featuring two rectangular panels (now four), with moulded surrounds framing trailing leafy stems and tulips in high relief – the second panel has later bosses applied. Re-used 18th-century panelling is set below a 19th-century dado. A later 19th-century inner porch is also present. The original door to the former parlour has two large moulded panels with a moulded rail at dado level, and a bolection moulded architrave. Plaster has been removed from the ceiling of a transverse beam with closely spaced joists.

A fine contemporary oak staircase of four flights ascends, with a further flight flanking stone steps to the cellar. The balusters are barley twist with bulbous bases, featuring a pitched handrail sweeping up to square newels. The top flight to the attic has cannon barrel balusters with bulbous bases and splat balusters, alternately straight and wavy to the top landing. Half landings are supported by posts on moulded timber brackets. A small couple truss is within the staircase bay. The main roof is a 4-bay structure with through-purlin collared trusses and tenoned blades, retaining original purlins. A partition formerly existed to the centre truss. Fireplaces are located in the rear walls. 19th-century six-panel doors and architraves are found on the first-floor landing.

The cellar, former kitchen, and service rooms have a stone-flagged floor. Stop-chamfered ceiling beams are present, with a partition formerly to the north end. Two windows are at each end wall, with one formerly a door on the south side. A broad stop-chamfered timber bressumer is at the kitchen fireplace.