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Overview

Rare stone-built dwelling with impressive timbered supports

We’re not short of medieval castles in Wales, but buildings like Pennarth Fawr are thin on the ground. This extremely well-preserved house gives a rare glimpse into how the Welsh gentry lived during the 15th century.

While most of the commonly wood-built houses of the era are long gone, Pennarth Fawr’s sturdy stone construction has seen it survive almost unchanged for centuries.

The house’s heart is its large hall, originally heated by the central hearth, with smoke escaping from a vent in the roof. Pennarth Fawr’s most striking feature is the elaborate internal truss system that supports it, an impressive network of carved timber beams rising from floor to ceiling that’s in excellent condition despite its advanced age.


Opening times

Daily 10am–5pm

Last admission 30 minutes before closing

Closed


Facilities

Dogs welcome icon Drone policy icon No smoking icon

Dogs on short leads welcome to access ground floor levels of the site.

Please read our policy information about flying drones at Cadw monuments: read the guidance

Smoking is not permitted.


Directions

Road
1.9m (3.1km) SW of Chwilog off B4354
Bike
NCN Route No.8 (3.6km/2.3mls).

Pennarth Fawr is located at postcode LL53 6PR.

Follow the garden path through the small iron gate in the surrounding stone wall to Pennarth Fawr’s front door.