Dolaucothi is located to the east of the village of Pumpsaint, a few miles to the south-east of Lampeter. It is notable for its historical interest as the seat of the Johnes family from the late sixteenth century and for remains of the mansion (now part of Dolaucothi Farm) to which the architect John Nash contributed. The house lay in parkland. To the immediate south is the Roman gold mining landscape (95142).

The park and garden have a history of development from at least the eighteenth century. The main area of the park is to the south and south-west of the house, extending to some 60 acres in all (formerly 97 acres). It is a rectangular area, long axis north-east by south-west, bounded on the south-west by the A482 at Pumsaint, on the north-east by the buildings of Dolaucothi Farm, and elsewhere by farmland and woodland. The park occupies the wide flood plain and river terraces on the valley sides of the Afon Cothi to the east of the village. Earthwork features associated with lakes in meadows south-west of the house site (centred on SN66294065), comprising steep scarps and banks, appear to represent modification of natural river terrace scarps to form generally regular platforms and slopes.

The house was approached via the main drive from an entrance and lodge, Dolaucothii Lodge (17301), off the A482 close to Pont Pumpsaint. South of this another drive followed the river terrace overlooking the park. A third drive approached from the south at Ogofau Lodge (409501). The river meanders down the length of the park; two small lakes south-west of the house are likely former oxbows integrated into the designed landscape. Alongside the main drive are traces of a lime avenue, and on the river terraces mixed woodland. There are also lone deciduous parkland trees. Around Ogofau lodge are mixed conifers. Open common land rising to the north, Pen Lan-dolau (now enclosed), was part of the natural, picturesque, beauty of the park.

Around the site of the mansion lie the remains of gardens (86151).

Source:
Cadw 2002: Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, 14-17 (ref: PGW(Dy)7(CAM)).

RCAHMW, 6 May 2022

Site Record

Dolaucothi Parkland Landscape, Pumsaint