Aberaeron Walk English:Layout 1 copy 7/11/07 11:56 Page 1

ABERAERONTOWNTRAIL

Celebrating our Heritage Aberaeron Walk English:Layout 1 copy 7/11/07 11:56 Page 2

3 6 Originally built as a house it was Originally the site of Aberaeron Isaf reportedly destroyed in a fire. (Lower Aberaeron) farmhouse this was the ASPILLERS warehouse FLOUR was erected WAREHOUSE in its place homeMILFORD of Captain HOUSE John Evans who built the and in the early 1900s was owned by Carriage Bach to transport workers across Spillers and used for the storage of flour the harbour to South Beach where the Welcome to our Town Trail which was opened in 2007, transported by steam ships from the main shipyards and his sawmill were situated, ABERAERONby Lord Elystan Morgan, to TOWN celebrate the TRAIL Bicentenary of outlet in Cardiff. after the main bridge was destroyed by a the passing of a Private Act of Parliament. This Act allowed flood. the building of the harbour by The Reverend Alban Thomas 4 Jones Gwynne, Lord of the Manor of Llyswen, also known as Since 1970 Milford House has been known Aberayron. The Steam Navigation Company was locally as the Stamp House when it established here in 1863 but went into appeared on a series of stamps of British By 1811 William Green of Aberystwyth and Edward Ellis had completed liquidationSTEAM PACKET when COMPANY its ship the Prince Rural Architecture. It was also at one time the work of constructing the harbour. This was the beginning of the town Cadwgan, captained by John Evans, a tavern known as Milford Tavern while of Aberaeron as you see it today. Milford House, was lost in 1876. the house attached to it by the upper floor, The Aberayron Steam Packet Company was once a tavern called the Ship on The Town Trail map will show you the route to each plaque, while this guide gives was established in 1877 and ran steam Launch. you a brief history of each building, as well as some of the landmarks you pass. ships on the milk run to Bristol. Payments were made at the harbourmaster’s office Before you start your walk, a word on the architecture you will see. It was thought until December 1916. Steam ships that Nash had a hand in the design of Aberaeron but that theory has been continued to visit the harbour up until the disproved. Edward Haycock, an architect from Shrewsbury, was employed by 1920s. Reverend Alban Thomas Gwynne’s son, Colonel Alban Gwynne, in the 1830s to By 1819 there were five houses on design the planned part of town around Alban Square, in what was one of the Quay Parade; two were to become first planned towns in Wales. taverns – No 4, the Hope Inn, and No 10, the Swan Inn.

1 5 The Inner Harbour and car park are Thought to be one of the oldest buildings Built around1840 and used as a known as Pwll Cam and an annual fair has along the Quay. In the C19th it stored warehouse to store chippings, as well been held here on 13 November since the goodsGENERAL brought STOREHOUSE in by ship and was later asWAREHOUSE a ships’ chandlery AND COAL and YARD a coal wharf. early C19th. used as a mortuary. On the quay near this building was As you cross the wooden bridge, stop and When the harbour was first built a where Carriage Bach, also known as the look inland and notice the row of houses plaque was erected to commemorate Aeron Express, operated. It was an aerial in front of you, called Portland Place. its completion. In time it disappeared carriage propelled by hand-operated The best example of the town’s Georgian but in 2007 a replica was erected and winches, and was in use from 1880 up style is considered to be the large house if you walk to the end of the pier you until the 1920s. at the left end of the row, Portland House. will see it on the lookout. As you walk along the footpath you will To the north of the harbour entrance, 2 notice the concrete remains of the landing the Reverend Alban Thomas Gwynne stage of Carriage Bach. At the join of the built a row of houses for the labourers This building was the first building to be footpath and the single track lane you employed in building the harbour, built along the new quay in about 1812. come to a row of three houses in Vulcan called Mynachdy Row, though locals TheHARBOURMASTER’S height of the building HOUSE made it easy Place. This was where blacksmiths lived named them Bedlam Barracks and in to keep a lookout for smugglers. and forged fittings for the shipbuilders. 1818 a school was built. All were lost The ground floor was a public house to the sea in the late C19th. and up until the 1950s it was known as the Red Lion. Aberaeron Walk English:Layout 1 copy 7/11/07 11:56 Page 4

Walking on, you come to a house facing South Beach, and expanded throughout 10 11 the Green named Trelawney. Built as the the1840s and 1850s declining rapidly from Dolphin Inn by shipbuilder John Harries, 1866. There was also a steam sawmill and Opened in 1873 by the Nonconformists, Here are believed to be three of the better known as Siôn Harri. He and his a sawpit at the south end of South Beach. it was financed from voluntary subscriptions oldest houses still standing in Aberaeron, BRITISH SCHOOL DOLHALOG COTTAGES sons are mentioned on the plaque erected and proceeds from local concerts. their exact date is unknown but it is believed that dwellings have been on this on the Green in tribute to Aberaeron’s On your left is Holy Trinity Church which maritime heritage. He had his shipyard in 9 spot for some centuries. The lowest of the opened in 1872. It was erected on the site cottages is a typical example of a mud or front of the house and he used to pay his of the old Chapel of Ease built in 1839 for employees from its side window, nearest In about 1813, this was the last of the cob built house with a thatched roof which the English speaking families of the area has now been covered by corrugated iron the harbour, hoping they would then enter three Aberaeron turnpikes to be built. and designed by Edward Haycock. Holy by the front door to spend their wages in InWESTGATE 1843 twoTOLL of Aberaeron’s HOUSE three toll sheets. This was a very common form of Trinity’s chancel and tower were added construction in the Aeron valley. his inn! houses were attacked by Rebecca Rioters later and the church you see today was protesting against the Poor Law and the completed by 1900. Sir Geraint Evans, the world renowned payment of tithes and tolls. However, 12 opera singer, had a long association with it has not been established which two At the main road turn right and walk along Aberaeron from early childhood and made toll houses were attacked. the pavement of Portland Place until you This toll house was said to be originally Trelawney his family home in 1966. come to Portland House which was built situated near the Feathers Hotel, in the SOUTHGATE TOLL HOUSE by Benjamin Evans in 1855. He typified the middle of town, but there is no evidence, 7 people who were making up the new town to date, to verify this. of Aberaeron – a farmer, turned trader. Between the years 1800 –1900 it was Turn right, walk alongside the river and used for weighing lime. The lime was about 50 yards / 45 metres after the bridge WEIGH HOUSE burnt with coal in the nearby limekilns. there are some seats. Sit a moment The two grass-topped humps are the only and look over the river at the buildings remains of the limekilns now to be seen. opposite, as this is the best view of the Behind the Weigh House at the side of the Industrial Area. These buildings are car park is the house Neptune which was explained under Plaque 14. the home of the other shipbuilding family, David and Evan Jones, who had their Note the names on this street, Greenland Just past the playing fields at the bottom shipyard here. and Newfoundland Terraces, indicating of Vicarage Hill, on your right, you will some of the destinations of Aberaeron see a modern local government building 8 mariners. which stands on the site of the old Railway station and yard. Opened in 1911 the Another shipyard was situated here, Before turning right, up Panteg Road, coming of the railway meant the decline but known as Enid Stores and Coal Yard. notice on the opposite corner of Panteg, of the harbour of Aberaeron. The railway ThisENID is STORES now the AND headquarters COAL YARD of the the side of a big house called Pengarreg was closed by Beeching’s Axe in 1963 and Yacht Club. Fawr. The back of the house faces the road the last train left in 1965. – apparently because it was built before Shipbuilding yards developed in the 1830s On the other side of the bridge on your on this side of the harbour, known as the main road was developed and hence is facing “the wrong way”. The outbuildings left are buildings on the site called Dolau were restored in the 1990s and are now a Aeron in what was Aberaeron Uchaf Craft Centre. A walk around the inner [Upper Aberaeron]. In 1769 the earliest When you reach the footbridge known known reference by a visitor to an inn courtyard of the centre shows the quality as Lovers’ Bridge you can shorten your of the restoration work. at Aberaeron was made about the one walk by crossing it and going straight to standing here. It closed in about 1815 Plaque 13. and the large house called Dolaeron To continue to plaque 11 keep walking was built in 1852. Carry on a short along the path alongside the river. distance until you come to the Memorial This path takes you through a field known Hall which was opened on 1 April 1925. as Cae Ffynnon Waun, though known to locals as Cae Ffynnon Wîn (field of the wine well). Aberaeron Walk English:Layout 1 copy 7/11/07 11:56 Page 6

As you enter the path leading through Penarth loaded with coal for Amboina in Today it is used for the annual carnival, Parc y Fro you see on your left, Aberaeron Indonesia, intending to trade there for the football matches, festivals, fairs and Sports Club. The tennis club was opened next two years. No news was ever heard of markets. in 1882 just seven years after the it again and a year later on 8 March 1892 establishment of the modern game a memorial service was held for the 13 16 in 1875. Aberaeron and 1 Aberarth sailors who had been lost. Madras is one of many houses This hotel was built in about 1815 by 13 around town named after ships which William Lewes of Llanerchaeron and were built in or sailed from Aberaeron patronisedFEATHERS by HOTEL visiting magistrates. Known in Welsh as “Ffynnon Goch” or were captained by Aberaeron men. Petty Sessions were held here between (Red Well), so called because the water 1817 and 1846 before moving to the Town wasCHALYBEATE impregnated WELL with iron. A circular On your right is Peniel Independent Hall in Market Street shelter was built over the spring in 1881 Chapel, built in 1833. It originally had its and visitors were encouraged to drink entrance at the back in Peniel Lane but 17 was situated at the rear with the stocks the waters. it was reversed to its present position in on the opposite side of the road in front Water Street to discourage worshippers This workhouse was opened on 1 June of Ianthe House. The ground floor used 14 from exiting the chapel and entering the 1839. During the Rebecca Riots of 1843 to have open arches and was used as a tavern directly opposite. soldiersABERAERON were POOR billeted HOUSE here. It was used market place with goods being sold here Now private dwellings, these buildings as a hospital in 1916 to treat soldiers from well into the C20th. were the site of a woollen mill, a forge, 15 the Great War and was known during that aINDUSTRIAL tannery, a wood AREA turner’s workshop time as the Red Cross Hospital. Until Opposite is a pub called the Monachty, and a wheelwright. Four water wheels The Peniel Lane Aberaeron Commercial recently it was Aberaeron’s Cottage named after Rev Alban Gwynne’s home. served these industries. and Navigation School was one of three Hospital. As you continue towards plaque 21 you knownNAVIGATION navigation SCHOOL schools in the area. pass the Cadwgan pub, which used to be The forge was established in 1850 to called Star of Wales, but is now named Between 1817 and 1864 a second was 18 produce reaping hooks for local farmers, based in the buildings of the Industrial after the last ship to be built in Aberaeron. and then the famous Aberaeron Shovel. Built in about 1785 this is one of Area, and the third in Henfynyw. At the Cadwgan look down towards the Blocks of steel were hammered by Aberaeron’s three toll houses. a large waterwheel-operated hammer, At the end of Albert Street on the right NORTHGATE TOLL HOUSE sea and you see Tabernacle Street and on the right Tabernacle Chapel which known to everyone as Y Morthwyl Mawr, hand side there is a large building 19 into the unique shape of the Aberaeron called Compton House which was was opened in 1833 but underwent many Shovel, which is the inspiration for the once the town’s post office. Built in 1848 as a national or church changes in the mid 1800s. In 1850 a shape of our plaques. The noise from y school, it is now the Masonic Hall. gallery was added, with the inscription Morthwyl Mawr could be heard around NATIONAL SCHOOL “Cofiwch y Morwyr” (Remember the You pass on your left the old Siloam town and when it started the children Sailors). Baptist Chapel built in 1878 but long would run to see Dafis y Gôf swinging since closed. from a chair suspended from the ceiling 21 as he fashioned the hot metal under the As you turn right at the Castle Hotel into Built in 1870 and was at one time massive hammer. Market Street stop at the corner of the used to build rowing boats. Castle Hotel and looking down you will The woollen mill continued producing BIG STOREHOUSE see a stone in the pavement. This stone tweeds and blankets up until 1950. 22 is the demarcation of the boundary of the As mentioned, the best view of these two parishes which divide Aberaeron. buildings is from the other side of the This is said to be one of the oldest houses To the south is the parish of Henfynyw river. in Aberaeron but its origins are unknown. Opposite, on the Square Field side you and to the north that of Llanddewi Aberarth. Inside,PIER COTTAGE it reportedly has features of the Walk past the entrance to the Industrial will see a statue of a Welsh Cob. mid 1750s while other locals claim it is Area and note the second house on 20 much older. It has had a colourful history your left called Madras. The Madras Square Field or Cae Sgwâr is, to many with many of the characters of the town was a 3-masted barque bought by the locals, as integral to the town as the Originally the site of Aberayron Ganol at one time or another living here. shipbuilder David Jones and his son harbour. It was, in the past, the venue (Middle Aberayron) farmhouse, the Town TOWN HALL Captain Evan Jones. On 8 March 1891, for cycle races, eisteddfodau, agricultural Hall was built between 1833 and 1845. We hope you have enjoyed your walk, captained by Evan Jones, it sailed from shows, and a photographer’s studio. In 1833 it was known as Market Hall but together with this brief history, and thank by completion of the building in 1845 it you for visiting Aberaeron. was known as the Town Hall. The first gaol breo akEnglish:Layout1copy7/11/0711:56Page8 Walk Aberaeron

Rhifau'r Placiau Plaque numbers Prif Lwybr Main trail Llwybr Plet Shortcut Rhestr o’r llongau a adeiladwyd yn Aberaeron List of ships built in Aberaeron

Er cof am R. Gareth Owen, am mai ei deithiau ef a ysbrydolodd Llwybr y Dref, ac o ddiolch i'w deulu am eu cyfraniad hael o'i Gronfa Gofio tuag at brosiect y Llwybr a'r Placiau. In Memory of R Gareth Owen, whose walks inspired this Town Trail, and in gratitude to his family for their generous contribution from his Memorial Fund towards the Town Trail and Plaques Project.