Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales

Historic Hay-on-Wye

A huge thank you to everyone who recently attended our guided walks of Hay-on-Wye, 28 May, during the internationally renowned Hay Festival held 27 May–6 June. The walks also coincided with celebrating the launch of the new historic town maps of Brecon & Hay-on-Wye from the Historic Towns Trust created in partnership with the Royal Commission, Mapping the March, Hay Castle Trust, the University of Bristol and UK Research and Innovation.

Both guided walks of the town, led by architectural historian Richard Suggett, former Senior Investigator at the Commission, offered fascinating insights into the history of this small but significant market town on the border between Wales and England. The tour’s starting point was Hay Castle and its imposing 12th-century tower-gatehouse and successor great gate, with references to the medieval town walls and castle’s fortunes during the Duke of Buckingham’s ownership, the Gwynn family, builders of Castle House, and of course its most famous owner, the self-proclaimed ‘King of Hay’, Richard Booth. In the centre of town with its historic marketplace, we heard about the history of the cheese and butter markets and the town’s numerous famous visitors across the centuries including Gerald of Wales and the topographer and antiquarian John Leland. We proceeded down to the town’s clock-tower on Broad Street, stopping at Richard Booth’s Bookshop in Lion Street from where he transformed Hay-on-Wye into the world’s most famous ‘book town’. After looking at seventeenrh-century timber-framed buildings in High Town we went to the site of the Westgate of the walled town and admired the coaching inns in the ‘suburb’ outside the town walls. We finally visited Hay-on-Wye’s Norman motte and bailey castle (‘Tump’) located on a site just off Church Street, near the river Wye and adjacent to St Mary’s Church. We ended where the town had started.

These newly published historical maps were launched at Hay Castle by Professors Sarah Rees-Jones and Helen Fulton from the Historic Towns Trust and offer a fascinating way to explore the rich heritage of two of Wales's most historic towns.

More than simply maps, they combine modern cartography with town histories, key landmarks, historic illustrations and photographs, helping you uncover the stories behind today's streets.

Available now from the Historic Towns Trust for £11.99 plus P&P:
https://zurl.co/msOLp


A special thanks to everybody who attended the walks and the map launch and to Hay Castle Trust for their warm and generous welcome.
Find out more about the history and heritage of Hay-on-Wye on Coflein: https://zurl.co/56B83

Y Gelli Hanesyddol

Diolch yn fawr iawn i bawb a fynychodd ein teithiau cerdded tywys yn ddiweddar yn y Gelli Gandryll, 28 Mai, yn ystod Gŵyl y Gelli, a gynhaliwyd rhwng 27 Mai a 6 Mehefin. Roedd y teithiau cerdded hefyd yn cyd-daro â dathlu lansio mapiau newydd trefi hanesyddol Aberhonddu a'r Gelli Gandryll gan Ymddiriedolaeth Trefi Hanesyddol a grëwyd mewn partneriaeth â'r Comisiwn Brenhinol, Mapio'r Gororau, Ymddiriedolaeth Castell y Gelli Gandryll, Prifysgol Bryste ac Ymchwil ac Arloesi'r DU.

Cynigiodd y ddwy daith dywys o amgylch y dref, o dan arweiniad yr hanesydd pensaernïol Richard Suggett chyn Uwch Ymchwilydd yn y Comisiwn, fewnwelediadau diddorol i hanes y dref farchnad fach ond arwyddocaol hon ar y ffin rhwng Cymru a Lloegr. Man cychwyn y daith oedd Castell y Gelli a'i thŵr-borthdy trawiadol o'r 12fed ganrif a’r porth mawr a‘i olynodd, gyda chyfeiriadau at furiau'r dref ganoloesol a ffawd y castell yn ystod perchnogaeth Dug Buckingham, y teulu Gwynn, sef adeiladwyr Tŷ'r Castell, ac wrth gwrs ei berchennog enwocaf, 'Brenin y Gelli Gandryll', Richard Booth. Yng nghanol y dref gyda'i marchnad hanesyddol, clywsom am hanes y marchnadoedd caws a menyn yn y dref a’r ymwelwyr enwog niferus i'r dref yn ystod y canrifoedd, yn eu plith Gerallt Gymro a'r topograffydd a'r hynafiaethydd John Leland. Aethom i lawr i dŵr cloc y dref ar Broad Street, gan stopio yn Siop Lyfrau Richard Booth yn Lion Street lle y trawsnewidiodd y Gelli Gandryll yn 'dref lyfrau' enwocaf y byd. Ar ôl edrych ar adeiladau ffrâm bren o'r ail ganrif ar bymtheg yn High Town, aethom i leoliad Westgate y dref gaerog hon ac edmygu'r tafarndai coets yn y 'faestref' y tu allan i furiau'r dref. Yn olaf, ymwelsom â chastell mwnt a beili Normanaidd y Gelli Gandryll ('Tump') a leolir ar safle ychydig oddi ar Church Street, ger afon Gwy ac wrth ymyl Eglwys y Santes Fair. Gorffennom lle roedd y dref wedi dechrau.

Lansiwyd y mapiau hanesyddol newydd sydd newydd cael eu cyhoeddi yng Nghastell y Gelli Gandryll gan yr Athro Sarah Rees-Jones a’r Athro Helen Fulton o'r Historic Towns Trust ac maent yn cynnig ffordd ddiddorol o archwilio treftadaeth gyfoethog dwy o drefi mwyaf hanesyddol Cymru.


Yn fwy na mapiau yn unig, maent yn cyfuno cartograffeg fodern â hanesion trefi, tirnodau allweddol, darluniau a ffotograffau hanesyddol, gan eich helpu i ddatgelu'r straeon y tu ôl i strydoedd heddiw.

Ar gael nawr o’r Historic Towns Trust am £11.99 a P&P:
https://zurl.co/vRVJC

Diolch arbennig i bawb wnaeth fynychu’r teithiau tywys a lansiad y map ac i Ymddiriedolaeth Castell y Gelli am eu croeso hael a chynnes.

Darganfyddwch mwy am hanes a threftadaeth Y Gelli Gandryll ar Coflein: https://zurl.co/DLzAH

Join us this Saturday in Machynlleth as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Mary Cornelia, Lady Londonderry (c.1826–1906) – a remarkable Welsh philanthropist whose generosity and vision helped shape the town we know today.

Hosted at Machynlleth Library, this free day of talks, guided walk and community activities will explore the life and legacy of a woman whose support funded important local institutions, including the Vane Infant School and Almshouses.

Staff from the Royal Commission will be taking part in the celebrations, with highlights including:

10.30am – 'Being Lady Londonderry' with Dr Adam Coward, Library and Enquiries Manager

11.30am – 'Vane Tempest Place Names' with Dr James January McCann, Place-Names Officer

2pm – Guided walk around Machynlleth, led by Dr Adam Coward, visiting places associated with Mary Cornelia and exploring her enduring influence on the town

All events are FREE and everyone is welcome.

**Places for the guided walk are limited to just 15 participants, so advance booking is essential.**

To find out more about this extraordinary Welsh woman, read our blog:
https://zurl.co/mAsTQ

For bookings or further information, contact Machynlleth Library:
01654 702322 / [email protected]

Ymunwch â ni ddydd Sadwrn yma ym Machynlleth wrth i ni ddathlu 200 mlynedd ers geni Mary Cornelia, Arglwyddes Londonderry (tua 1826–1906) – dyngarwr nodedig o Gymru y bu ei haelioni a'i gweledigaeth yn helpu i lunio'r dref rydyn ni'n ei hadnabod heddiw.

Wedi'i gynnal gan Lyfrgell Machynlleth gyda phob sgwrs yn y llyfrgell, bydd y diwrnod rhad ac am ddim hwn o sgyrsiau, taith gerdded dywys a gweithgareddau cymunedol yn archwilio bywyd ac etifeddiaeth menyw y bu ei chefnogaeth yn ariannu sefydliadau lleol pwysig, gan gynnwys Ysgol Fabanod a Thai Elusen Vane.

Bydd staff o'r Comisiwn Brenhinol yn cymryd rhan yn y dathliadau, gyda'r uchafbwyntiau'n cynnwys:

10.30am – 'Being Lady Londonderry' gyda Dr Adam Coward, Rheolwr y Llyfrgell ac Ymholiadau

11.30am – 'Vane Tempest Place Names' gyda Dr James January McCann, Swyddog Enwau Lleoedd

2pm – Taith gerdded dywys o amgylch Machynlleth, dan arweiniad Dr Adam Coward, yn ymweld â lleoedd sy'n gysylltiedig â Mary Cornelia ac yn archwilio ei dylanwad parhaol ar y dref

Mae pob digwyddiad AM DDIM ac mae croeso i bawb.

Mae lleoedd ar gyfer y daith gerdded dywys wedi'u cyfyngu i 15 o gyfranogwyr yn unig, felly mae archebu ymlaen llaw yn hanfodol.

I ddysgu mwy am y fenyw Gymreig ryfeddol hon, darllenwch ein blog: https://zurl.co/4c22E

Ar gyfer archebu a gwybodaeth bellach, cysylltwch gyda Llyfrgell Machynlleth: 01654 702322 / [email protected]

Join us this Saturday in Machynlleth as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Mary Cornelia, Lady Londonderry (c.1826–1906) – a remarkable Welsh philanthropist whose generosity and vision helped shape the town we know today.

Hosted by Machynlleth Library at the beautiful Gerddi Memorial Gardens, Y Plas, this free day of talks, guided walk and community activities will explore the life and legacy of a woman whose support funded important local institutions, including the Vane Infant School and Almshouses.

Staff from the Royal Commission will be taking part in the celebrations, with highlights including:

10.30am – 'Being Lady Londonderry' with Dr Adam Coward, Library and Enquiries Manager

11.30am – 'Vane Tempest Place Names' with Dr James January McCann, Place-Names Officer

2pm – Guided walk around Machynlleth, led by Dr Adam Coward, visiting places associated with Mary Cornelia and exploring her enduring influence on the town

All events are FREE and everyone is welcome.

**Places for the guided walk are limited to just 15 participants, so advance booking is essential.**

To find out more about this extraordinary Welsh woman, read our blog:
https://zurl.co/b2NqY

For bookings or further information, contact Machynlleth Library:
01654 702322 / [email protected]

Ymunwch â ni ddydd Sadwrn yma ym Machynlleth wrth i ni ddathlu 200 mlynedd ers geni Mary Cornelia, Arglwyddes Londonderry (tua 1826–1906) – dyngarwr nodedig o Gymru y bu ei haelioni a'i gweledigaeth yn helpu i lunio'r dref rydyn ni'n ei hadnabod heddiw.

Wedi'i gynnal gan Lyfrgell Machynlleth yng Ngerddi Coffa hardd Gerddi, Y Plas, bydd y diwrnod rhad ac am ddim hwn o sgyrsiau, taith gerdded dywys a gweithgareddau cymunedol yn archwilio bywyd ac etifeddiaeth menyw y bu ei chefnogaeth yn ariannu sefydliadau lleol pwysig, gan gynnwys Ysgol Fabanod a Thai Elusen Vane.

Bydd staff o'r Comisiwn Brenhinol yn cymryd rhan yn y dathliadau, gyda'r uchafbwyntiau'n cynnwys:

10.30am – 'Being Lady Londonderry' gyda Dr Adam Coward, Rheolwr y Llyfrgell ac Ymholiadau

11.30am – 'Vane Tempest Place Names' gyda Dr James January McCann, Swyddog Enwau Lleoedd

2pm – Taith gerdded dywys o amgylch Machynlleth, dan arweiniad Dr Adam Coward, yn ymweld â lleoedd sy'n gysylltiedig â Mary Cornelia ac yn archwilio ei dylanwad parhaol ar y dref

Mae pob digwyddiad AM DDIM ac mae croeso i bawb.

Mae lleoedd ar gyfer y daith gerdded dywys wedi'u cyfyngu i 15 o gyfranogwyr yn unig, felly mae archebu ymlaen llaw yn hanfodol.

I ddysgu mwy am y fenyw Gymreig ryfeddol hon, darllenwch ein blog: https://zurl.co/yaKuR

Ar gyfer archebu a gwybodaeth bellach, cysylltwch gyda Llyfrgell Machynlleth: 01654 702322 / [email protected]

Aberaeron

*Scroll for English*

Mae Aberaeron yn enwog am ei thai lliwgar. Mae rhai yn ei alw’n Balamory Cymru!
Felly, beth yw straeon Aberaeron? (Sori…)
Cafodd ei gynllunio yn 1805 gan y Parch Alban T. Jones. Adeiladwyd o amgylch sgwâr Oes Regentaidd o’r enw Sgwâr Alban

***
Aberaeron is well known for its brightly painted houses. Some say it’s the Balamory of Wales!
So, what’s the tale-on Aberaer-on? (Sorry….)
Planned in 1805 by Rev Alban T. Jones, it's built around a Regency-style principal square (Alban Square)

📸Bro yr Hafan (Belle Vue Terrace), CBHC, 2004

Gwelwch fwy ar ein archif arlein, Coflein. Dolen yn ein bio. | See more on our online archive, Coflein. Link in bio.

Explore Your Archive Aberaeron, Wales, UK

The Coastal Lime Kilns of West Wales

Join our Senior Investigator (Archaeology), Louise Barker, for a fascinating talk on The Coastal Lime Kilns of West Wales on Wednesday 10 June at 7.00pm, hosted by Hanes Aber-porth History.

The talk is open to both members and non-members and will take place at Aber-porth Village Hall, Aber-porth, Cardigan SA43 2EN.

Everyone is welcome. Admission is free for members and £3 for visitors.

Lime kilns are a distinctive feature of the Welsh coastline, particularly in the south-west. Largely dating to the 18th and 19th centuries, they were built to burn limestone, either locally quarried or delivered by sea, and produced lime that was spread on fields to improve productivity and counteract the naturally acidic soils of the region. Louise will explore the history, function and significance of these important industrial monuments, and their role in shaping the agricultural landscape of west Wales.

You can also explore some of our 3D models of Welsh lime kilns on Sketchfab:
https://zurl.co/KwLCW

We hope to see you there.

Odynau Calch Arfordirol Gorllewin Cymru

Ymunwch â'n Huwch Ymchwilydd (Archaeoleg), Louise Barker, am sgwrs ddiddorol ar Odynau Calch Arfordirol Gorllewin Cymru ddydd Mercher 10 Mehefin am 7.00pm, a gynhelir gan Hanes Aber-porth History.

Mae'r sgwrs ar agor i aelodau a phobl nad ydynt yn aelodau a bydd yn cael ei chynnal yn Neuadd Bentref Aber-porth, Aber-porth, Aberteifi SA43 2EN.

Croeso i bawb. Mae mynediad am ddim i aelodau a £3 i ymwelwyr.


Mae odynau calch yn nodwedd nodedig o arfordir Cymru, yn enwedig yn y de-orllewin. Yn dyddio'n bennaf o'r 18fed a'r 19eg ganrif, fe'u hadeiladwyd i losgi calchfaen, naill ai wedi'i gloddio'n lleol neu wedi'i ddanfon ar y môr, ac i gynhyrchu calch a wasgarwyd ar gaeau i wella cynhyrchiant a gwrthweithio priddoedd naturiol asidig y rhanbarth. Bydd Louise yn archwilio hanes, swyddogaeth ac arwyddocâd yr henebion diwydiannol pwysig hyn, a'u rôl wrth lunio tirwedd amaethyddol gorllewin Cymru.

Gallwch hefyd archwilio rhai o'n modelau 3D o odynau calch Cymru ar Sketchfab: https://zurl.co/swlMb

Gobeithiwn eich gweld chi 'na.

Celebrating Volunteers Week!

Have you kicked the bar on Aberystwyth Prom? As part of our commitment to engaging people with Wales’s extraordinary heritage, last month 25 volunteers from the Royal Commission and the National Library of Wales joined Commission staff with former investigator Richard Suggett for a fascinating exploration of the history, art and architecture of Aberystwyth promenade. Walking and connecting with community and heritage are well known for their positive impact on wellbeing and metal health, and our fully-accessible walk highlighted the Old College (including the site of John Nash’s picturesque Castle House), Aberystwyth Pier, the new bandstand, promenade shelters, Victorian hotels, and the former home of Sir John Williams – royal gynaecologist and first President of the National Library of Wales – whose personal library formed one of the foundation collections of the National Library. Together, these sites really brought the promenade’s rich architectural and social history to life.

And at the end of the walk at Alexandra Hall–we kicked the bar! Traditionally thought to bring good luck and guarantee a return to Aberystwyth.

Here’s what some of our volunteers said:

“Enjoyed and learned more about the architecture of the prom in Aberystwyth. Extremely interesting.”

“I enjoyed the experience and learned more about the architecture of the promenade in Aberystwyth. It was very interesting, thank you for organising!”

“I really enjoyed the excursion. It was lovely to be with the other volunteers, Library staff and Commission staff on such a nice day.”

A huge thank you to all our volunteers for helping us celebrate, explore and share Wales’s rich heritage.

Find out more about the history and heritage of Aberystwyth’s historic promenade on Coflein:
https://zurl.co/n1IyH

Image 1: The start of our walk: Aberystwyth War Memorial on the Castle headland designed by Professor Mario Rutelli of Rome and unveiled on 14 September 1923. The memorial is crowned by winged Victory standing on a globe; on the seaward side a portrayal of naked Humanity emerging from the thickets of war.

Image 2: Looking towards Laura Place and Assembly Room from the Castle.

Image 3: And at the end of the walk at Alexandra Hall–we kicked the bar! Traditionally thought to bring good luck and guarantee a return to Aberystwyth.

Image 4: Aerial photograph of Aberystwyth Pier and Pavilion shows the sweep of the promenade and the route of our walk from War Memorial to Alexandra Hall with the kicked bar beyond.