Penmaenuchaf - CADW Reg No. PGW (Gd) 37 (GWY) |
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These, both in style and by their absence form the early maps, are clearly later than most of
the rest of the garden, and probably belong to an early twentieth century phase of improvements.
the area of woodland immediately south of the ponds contains small natural streams which make an
attractive feature and have been enhanced by culverting and the creation of tiny pools and
waterfalls, with narrow, stone edged paths; this area was probably part of the original
nineteenth-century design. The tanks which used to provide the water supply for the house
are at the top of this slope, and now overflow into the streams, which ultimately join and
flow into the eastern pond, over an artificial, stepped waterfall. The culvert to the south
which supplied the tanks and waterwheel has a sluice arrangement which would allow water to
be diverted into the ornamental system if necessary.
The ponds are stone edged on the north side and the ends, giving a straight edge and right-angled north-east and north-west corners, which has a semi-formal effect. A path, now grass surfaced but still visible in the surrounding lawn, runs along the north side. On the south side, however, the ponds seem to have been hacked out of the rock, and the edge is irregular, with a boggy area beyond, giving a contrasting informal effect. The overflow culvert is in the north-west corner, but the water level is currently low and the water does not flow out as intended. There is little clear water in the ponds and much vegetation, but this is certainly at least partly intentional. The causeway dividing the two ponds has a bridge for its central section, allowing the water to flow from one pond to the other, and is reached by steps and a path from the drive and forecourt area. It leads to the small paths through the woods above. The large lawn lies to the south-east of the house, and is an irregular long, narrow shape with the long axis running northeast to south-west. It is sloping, especially at the south-west end, and the tennis court was originally part of it. The narrow strip West of the tennis court is now quite heavily shaded, but the rest of the lawn is open, with a few specimen trees as well as the remains of an old clump next to the tennis court, and a few young and probably self sown individuals near the terraces. There are good views over the Mawddach valley from the top of the lawn, enhanced by the specimen trees planted below the terraces. which add interest to the foreground. The wall running along the south-east of the tennis court continues along the south-east side of the lawn, a wide gap having been made through it where the main wide walk to the east leads off.
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 A section of the culvert near the sluice above the ornamental water gardens at Penmaenuchaf.
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