Cwm Elan &
Nantgwillt
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| The Elan Valley, set in the exquisite
Cambrian mountains, was once the site of
three buildings of interest to Shelley
scholars: Cwm Elan (pronounced "Coomellen"),
the residence of Shelley's uncle, where
Shelley often stayed; |
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| Nantgwillt, the estate Shelley and
Harriet wished to purchase; |
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| and Capel Nantgwillt, the local
church. |
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| Unfortunately, all three buildings were
demolished and the sites are now underwater,
victims of late-Victorian construction. In
the late nineteenth century, the rapidly
growing Birmingham population required new
sources of water, and a series of reservoirs
were constructed in the valley. The rising
waters engulfed a number of houses in the
area, including the three Shelley sites (in
these views, taken during the construction,
Cwm Elan can be seen at the rear of the
reservoir, precariously balanced at water's
edge). |
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| Today, a patch of rhododendrons is the
only marker of the former Cwm Elan site. |
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| Nantgwillt is also submerged, although a
few of the foundations and garden walls can
be seen during times of drought (a history of
the area can be found in Francis Brett
Young's "The House Under the Waters" and in
Vale of Nantgwillt: Submerged Valley
(London: J.S. Virtue, 1894). |
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| The Rhayader and District History
Archives maintains an impressive collection
of early photographs and artwork depicting
the houses—including all of the images
seen here. Stephen "Charlie" Collard, a
remarkable young man who maintains a
cutting-edge computer facility in his home,
has brought together material picked up at
local jumble sales and used bookshops. His
booklet "Touring the Elan Valley" (S.
Collard, 1999) is an invaluable tool for any
researchers working on the history of the
area. He can be reached through the website. |
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