The estate of Cwm Elan, containing the Elan Valley mansion, was purchased in 1792 by Thomas Grove. It was described then as "10,000 worthless acres, which he is now converting into a paradise." Shelley’s the poet, who came to stay at Cwm Elan on two occasions, was to become very attached to the rugged grandeur of the local landscape. Shelley tried unsuccessfully to secure the lease of Nantgwyllt house, the large mansion in the nearby valley of the River Claerwen, only about one and a half miles from Cwm Elan. When water was very close to the house, it was knocked down before the reservoir filled. Cwm Elan House is located under Garreg Ddu Resevoir.
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Remains of Ty Nant House under Pen y Garreg Reservoir.
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Remains of Nant Gwyllt garden walls in 1936
Photo credit Ann Lloyd, Rhayader
Small hill farm now submerged by Craig Goch Reservoir
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Ruins of Dol-Faenog House, under Pen y Garreg Reservoir.
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Site of Cwm Coel House, not much to see. Normally under Garreg Ddu. It was a farm house with a tall chimney.
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Cwm Coel House, the house in the background is Cwm Coel House. Photo courtesy to Syd Meredith, Newbridge On Wye.
Site where Cwm Coel House once stood, not much to see now. Cwm Coel was a farmhouse with a tall chimney.
Old construction shed near Craig Goch Dam, the old railway lines are still visible.
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Site of the the old railway line near Craig Goch Dam.
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Old footbridge under Craig Goch Reservoir, it's not far from the Hirnant and is called Pontbren Lloc-ddu, locally known as Pwll Coon.
Photo courtesy of Hugh Davies.
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