Site Record

Located on the E side of the Welshpool to Llanfyllin Road, on a ridge overlooking the Guilsfield Brook valley, and the site of the mansion of Garth.

History: Model Farm buildings built in the mid-C19 for the Mytton family of Garth, probably designed under the influence of J.C.Loudon's enthusiasm for improvements to agriculture.

Description: English garden wall bond brick with corrugated asbestos and slate roofs with open eaves. Open 'U'-plan with central cross range forming one closed yard and one open at the NE end, perhaps originally designed as 2 closed yards. Pavilion blocks of 2 storeys at the corners with hipped roofs, the Bailiff's house being at the NE corner, now Garth farmhouse. Large C20 windows.

Main SW elevation has central driftway with 3-centred cart arch of 2 half-brick rings, rebated for doors. Four tiers of vented brickwork in lozenge patterns, and pitching openings on SW and within driftway. Wings consist of a long range of cow houses with four-centred arches to the yard. Low
pitched roof trusses with struts from the haunched king posts to a single tier of purlins.

The upper, closed yard, has a stone wall with rounded corners containing the central fold yard, the cross range of buildings, perhaps originally designed as animal shelter for the foldyard, is largely rebuilt.

Of special architectural and historic interest as coming under the influence of J.C.Loudon, who was a most important influence in the design of farm buildings in the early C19.

Reference: Loudon, J.C.; Observations on laying out Farms in the Scotch Manner, applied to England.(1812).

SOURCE;- CADW listed buildings NJR 09/05/2007