Content can be downloaded for non-commercial purposes, such as for personal use or in educational resources.
For commercial purposes please contact the copyright holder directly.
Read more about the The Creative Archive Licence.
Description
Note on THE HERMITAGE, Grwyne Valley, nr Abergavenny, Brecknockshire 2004
After a wet day spent in Hereford and whilst driving to Abergavenny I remembered the Hermitage, a small villa south of the Black Mountains, built early 19th century supposedly by John MacNamara of Llangoed, for his mistress. The former was a notable, but by no means a noble character. It was still intact in 1913 but when the Forestry Commission took it over it fell into disrepair.
I had a map and drove up the high-hedged road from Crickhowell until it turned to narrowed track and came to an gated end just before a lovely bridge. I parked the car and found the Hermitage relatively easily: very remote, the cellars caved in and fair in size and location. A small steam ran beside the house, considerably deepened by the torrential rain. I spent about an hour exploring the house and grounds, myself and equipment thoroughly soaked but made a few successful exposures. The Hermitage made an otherwise ordinary day something a little special. There isn’t anything particularly special about what remains: a few high stone walls, but the house, knowing it was built for a mistress, held its secrets and contained therein its own micro-atmosphere.
The Hermitage 2009
The Hermitage 2009
Do you have information to add to this item? Please leave a comment
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to leave a comment