Cenarth History
Cenarth history archaeology and antiquities. Is a village in Ceredigion, West Wales. Situated between Llandygwydd and Cwm-Cou.
Cenarth’s conservation area is one of 13 conservation area in the county of Ceredigion. Conservation Areas are designated to preserve and enhance the special character of areas of architectural or historic interest. These conservation areas are selected according to the quality of the area as a whole, including the contribution of key individual or groups of buildings, trees, open space and streetscape.
For the full information, including information on designations, individuals should contact the planning department at Ceredigion County Council.
The stone-built three-arch bridge at Cenarth dates to 1785-87 (on a 12th century site) is the oldest structure in the village. 
After Cenarth Falls the Teifi River meanders down the vallet bottom 
Capel Bach Cenarth, Methodist denomination, opened 1873 
Cenarth High Street leading to the bridge over the Teifi 
Cenarth Mill is first recorded in the 1180s, but the present rubble-stone building on the banks of the river dates to the late 18th century and most of its machinery dates to the 19th century. 
Cenarth parish church, although an ancient foundation, dates to the later 19th century, and stands to the southeast of the bridge. 
Old Smithy of Cenarth dates to the mid to late 19th century 
Pentref Street Cenarth, once a row of seven cottages in this older part of the village 
Salmon leap gift shop Cenarth, stone-built 19th century building 
The older domestic buildings in Cenarth, date to the mid to late 19th century 
The White Hart, Cenarth may date to the late 18th century 
River Teifi at Cenarth Falls follow a narrow section of river valley
Cenarth History Pictures |
Since 1909 the Ceredigion Historical Society has published articles written about the archaeology, antiquities and history of Ceredigion, many of these articles printed within the Ceredigion Journal, are about the history of Cenarth.
The society has also produced three county volumes, under the name of the Cardiganshire County History series, these knowledgeable, learned, comprehensive and scholary publications record the history of prehistoric, early and modern Cardiganshire.
1. History
Extract from ‘A Topographical Dictionary of Wales‘ by Samuel Lewis 1849
KENARTH (CENARTH), a parish, in the union of Newcastle-Emlyn, Higher division of the hundred of Elvet, county of Carmarthen, South Wales; comprising the market and post town of Newcastle-Emlyn, from which the church is distant 2½ miles (W. N. W.); and containing 2044 inhabitants. This parish is beautifully situated on the river Teivy, over which the turnpike-road from Carmarthen to Cardigan is here carried by a stone bridge. It comprises by admeasurement 6429 acres, almost wholly inclosed and in a good state of cultivation, and of which about 400 acres are woodland, and of the remainder two-thirds arable and one-third pasture. The soil is various, some parts being light and others clayey, and along the sides of the river are some rich meadows, with a fine loamy earth: a considerable number of cattle are bred in the parish, and the other produce comprises chiefly corn, butter, and cheese. The lands consist of hills and dales, well wooded with plantations of larch, oak, ash, and different kinds of fir; the surrounding scenery is diversified, and in many parts highly picturesque, the views embracing the narrow but fertile Vale of Teivy, and the adjoining country, abounding with a variety of interesting features. Near the church is the celebrated salmon-leap on the Teivy, where that river pours its waters over several continuous rocky shelves, upwards of twenty feet in extent, forming a pleasing cascade: from the difficulty of passing this leap, the fish, in their ascent up the stream to deposit their spawn, are frequently much injured. In the neighbourhood are some handsome seats, of which the principal within the parish is Gelly-Dywell, beautifully wooded with fine old oak timber, and rich plantations.
The living is a discharged vicarage, rated in the king’s books at £4. 6. 8., and endowed with £400 royal bounty, and £800 parliamentary grant; patron, the Bishop of St. David’s; impropriator, the Rev. A. Brigstocke: the great tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £266. 13. 4., and the vicarial for one of £133. 6. 8. The church, dedicated to St. Llawddog, is a neat edifice, about fifty feet long and twenty-five broad, containing 230 sittings, and occupies a gentle eminence just above the falls of the Teivy previously noticed. At Newcastle-Emlyn are two other incumbencies; and the Calvinistic Methodists, the Independents, and Baptists have places of worship in the parish, in which Sunday schools are held. A Church school is kept at Kenarth, and the parish contains the workhouse of the Newcastle-Emlyn union.
2. Map
3. External links
- Coflein, discover the archaeology, historic buildings, monuments and history of Cenarth, Ceredigion
- Historic Place Names, learn about the field names and house names in the community of Cenarth
- A Pint of History, read about the history of Ceredigion pub’s, inn’s and local taverns of Cenarth
- People’s Collection Wales, share your stories, memories and photographs of Cenarth
Some ideas to share your Stories below!
Have a memory and your not sure what to write? We have made it easy with some prompts and ideas, just think about this place and the importance its had in your life and ask yourself:
- What are my personal memories of living here?
- How has it developed and shops changed over the years?
- Do you have a story about the beach, community, its people and history?
- Tell us how it feels, seeing photographs and images of this place again?
- Tell us your favourite memories about this place?
The aim of the Ceredigion Historical Society is to preserve, record and promote the study of the archaeology, antiquities and history of Ceredigion. That objective has remained the same since the foundation of the Society in 1909, though its name was changed from Ceredigion Antiquarian Society to the Ceredigion Historical Society in 2002.