Historical background
An area that seems to have been enclosed in the nineteenth century,
and where some abortive mineral trials took place. The motte
Bryn y Castell may have guarded a Medieval route across this
character area to Pennal. It seems to have been erected in the
1140s by Cadwaladr, son of Gruffydd ap Cynan and brother to Owain
Gwynedd, at a time when the spur on which it stood would have
overlooked the flood plain east of Tywyn. It is one of only two
documented castles built within Gwynedd by Welsh lords at this
time. By the nineteenth century it formed part of the Ynysymaengwyn
estate and seems to have been exploited for sheep-farming.
Key historic landscape characteristics
An area of rising ground to the south of the Dysynni lowlands
which reaches to the ridge of Corlan Fraith, characterised
by (mainly) regular enclosures of probable nineteenth century
date, very small-scale mineral trials, and several sheepfolds.
Farm-houses and farm-buildings associated with this area are
generally situated just below it
in 01 (e.g. Hendy, Ty Mawr and Cynfal), though the substantial
Victorian farms of Bryn y Castell and Caerffynnon are situated
within it. Pine trees are evident in a number of areas but
it is otherwise open and unwooded. The motte Bryn y Castell
lies within this character area.
The area seems little visited, even though it is situated
adjacent to the Talyllyn Railway and to the caravan parks around
Rhyd yr Onnen station.
Back to Dysynni
Landscape Character Map
