Penllergare

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Penllergare was the estate of John Dillwyn Llewelyn adjacent what is now the village of Penllergaer, Swansea. Although the names are similar, the village of Penllergaer grew up as a separate entity from the Penllergare estate.

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[edit] The Past

At the height of its prosperity in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the Penllergare estate, on the north-west fringe of Swansea, was an outstanding example of a picturesque, romantic landscape. Its main creator was John Dillwyn Llewelyn (1810-82), a man distinguished for his contribution to landscape design and horticulture, as his scientific experiments and pioneering photography.

Penllergare provided inspiration for the expression of all these talents. Taking in the adjacent estate of Nydfwch and based on the work of his father, Lewis Weston Dillwyn, John exploited the majestic natural beauty of the site in his grand design to create an idyllic landscape planted with a rich variety of trees, shrubs and exotic plants. He erected one of the first purpose-built orchid houses (from 1836) in the kitchen gardens, an observatory (1851-2) was built close to the mansion house, and experiments with an electrically-powered boat (built before 1848 by John himself) were conducted on the Lower Lake.

Inspired by Henry Fox Talbot (the photographic pioneer) who was first cousin to John's wife, Emma, Llewelyn became (from about 1841) an enthusiastic and accomplished photographer. With its lakes and waterfalls, panoramic vistas, secret places and horticultural and botanical riches, Penllergare provided a wide variety of subjects for his camera and his superb photographic images vividly evoke the past glories of his Victorian Paradise. His son, Sir John Talbot Dillwyn Llewelyn, brought the gardens to their peak just before the Great War and he (like his father) was a notable philanthropist and whole-hearted supporter of community activities.

During the second half of the twentieth century, however, those glories faded and Penllergare began its long slide into dereliction. The mansion was destroyed and replaced by a ‘civic centre’. Development and vandalism added to the effects of neglect. The woodland gardens were top-sliced by the M4 motorway. Modern houses abut on the walled gardens and spill into the parkland. The promised country park in the 1990s failed to materialise and this former paradise is now derelict.

Nevertheless, the beauty and tranquillity of old Penllergare still remains in the collective memory of many people who, over the last sixty years, have walked, played and courted in this secluded valley.

Cadw describes Penllergare as, "The partial survivor of a very important picturesque and Romantic landscape of the mid-nineteenth century" and registers it at Grade II.

[edit] The Present

Encouraged by the support of influential organisations and many individual people, it was decided that independent action was necessary to save this ‘secret and magical place’ for the benefit of the public. Ymddiriedolaeth Penllergare - The Penllergare Trust was formed in 2000 as a (not-for-profit) company and registered charity with the three purposes, in order of priority, of:

  • the protection, conservation, restoration and maintenance of the landscape of Penllergare
  • promoting knowledge and appreciation of Penllergare
  • protection and conservation of wildlife.

Work on the ground is currently aimed at making Valley Woods a safer and more functional place for people to enjoy. Regeneration of the once-famous woodlands has begun. Priority is also given to:

  • the socially-inclusive Community & Education programme, with special emphasis on children and young people
  • maximising the knowledge and understanding of Penllergare to ensure future plans respect what has gone before and reflect the needs of people today.

[edit] The Future

The Trust aims to rescue Penllergare from its current plight and to realise its potential as a high-quality green space for north Swansea. The way forward is to restore that well-remembered place of beauty, tranquillity and enjoyment, to a place where people feel safe and children can have adventures; where everyone who cares for Penllergare can get involved whatever his or her interests, skills and capabilities.

Working in partnership the Trust intends to promote responsible, inclusive and sustainable stewardship of Penllergare Valley Woods. This will include:

  • protecting and conserving the historic landscape, as well as its flora and fauna
  • evocative and safe enjoyment of the scenery, woodlands and wildlife
  • explaining the history and importance of Penllergare, the place and its people
  • providing opportunities for training, employment and volunteering.

At the same time it is hoped to restore the derelict, and at present inaccessible, walled gardens above the valley floor and their enclosed surroundings. Ultimately these could again become a great and precious collection of plants in a beautiful, sheltered setting, explained by an exhibition of the photographs and scientific achievements of John Dillwyn Llewelyn and his family.

[edit] References

  • The Penllergare Trust (Official site)
  • Cadw, 2000, Register of Landscapes, Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales. Part 1: Parks and Gardens of Glamorgan
  • Morris, Richard, 1999, Penllergare – A Victorian Paradise (out of print)
  • Eyers, Jennie (ed.), 2006, Penllergare – Echoes from Valley Woods, obtainable from the Penllergare Trust. For availability e-mail contact@penllergare.org
  • The West Glamorgan Archive Service (westglam.archives@swansea.gov.uk) is the principal depository of records of the Penllergare project.
  • The main archive of photographs by John Dillwyn Llewelyn is at Swansea Museum