2 River Row

This is a two-storey house in a terrace, built between 1852 and 1861, likely by the Plymouth Iron Company to house workers at the Abercanaid Pit and Pentrebach Forge. It is part of an early group of industrial housing at Abercanaid, originally consisting of seven terraces facing east between the river and canal. Several of these terraces have been lost over time, but the terrace containing No. 2 River Row survives.

The houses were designed to be relatively generous for the era, being double-fronted rather than the single-window designs of earlier terraces. They are narrow, with roof spans of 4-5 metres, and originally lacked rear extensions, as access was provided to both the front and rear. The original plan incorporated a central passageway and a rear staircase.

The house was originally constructed of rubble stone with small-paned sash windows, a slate roof, and stone chimneys, with stone voussoirs to the openings on both floors. The facades are slightly offset to accommodate larger kitchen chimneys, creating mirrored pairs. Front or rear gardens were accessed via a footpath along the terrace line.

The exterior of No. 2 River Row has been altered in the 20th century, featuring concrete tiles, C20 windows and door with overlight, and thin stucco surrounds. The rear rubble stone wall includes a blocked door and small windows. Originally, the rear walls featured a small door and pantry window at ground level, and a small window above. Sash windows were still present in 1975. The property has not been recently inspected.