The Historic Landscape Character Areas (HLCAs)
HLCA 001 Margam Abbey and Castle
Significant early medieval/medieval ecclesiastic and monastic centre with church and cemetery; important early medieval ecclesiastic/secular settlement and administrative focus; important and influential post-medieval gentry estate and deer park; registered parkland and gardens; post-medieval vernacular and other notable buildings; important relict multi-period/multi-functional archaeological landscape; buried archaeology includes cropmarks and find scatters; Ancient and other broadleafed woodland and plantation; important historic associations. Back to Map
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HLCA 002 Cefn Crugwyllt and Cwm Maelwg
Enclosed agricultural landscape with historic monastic associations and relict medieval settlement features; Ancient and other woodland; post-medieval vernacular buildings. Back to Map
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HLCA 003 Cwm Brombil and Graig Fawr
Steep west-facing hillside and deeply entrenched side valleys; mixed area of Ancient and other woodland and medieval/post-medieval agricultural enclosure developed from earlier valley core; multi-period relict landscape. Back to Map
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HLCA 004 Mynydd Brombil and Ergyd Isaf
Enclosed upland, primarily post-medieval enclosure; deserted medieval/post-medieval upland settlement landscape with relict prehistoric funerary and ritual features. Back to Map
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HLCA 005 Llangynwyd
Important diverse multi-period relict archaeological landscape, including: pre-historic and medieval settlement with associated field systems; prehistoric enclosures (upland agricultural landscape features); medieval military/defensive feature; post-medieval vernacular buildings; important well-documented historic associations; small, but important nucleated settlement with medieval (or earlier) origins, centred on medieval church and cemetery; dispersed scatter of settlement throughout the surrounding area; Ancient woodland. Back to Map
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HLCA 006 Eglwys Nunydd and Cwrt-y-defaid
Agricultural and residential area with important historic associations; important ecclesiastic landscape with early origins; post-medieval fieldscape; relict archaeological landscape of early medieval/medieval/post-medieval settlement; interesting post-medieval vernacular buildings; buried archaeological remains in the form of finds (including medieval inscribed stones) and parch/crop marks; important communication corridor (Roman and later) . Back to Map
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HLCA 007 Graig Goch and Heol Newydd
An agricultural landscape of small evolved/irregular fields; scatter of post-medieval farmsteads and cottages. Back to Map
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HLCA 008 Margam Village
Post-medieval estate village with 20th century ribbon addition; post-medieval (17th-19th century) vernacular buildings and 20th century suburban residences. Back to Map
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HLCA 009 Cwm Dyffryn and Cwm Farteg Railway Corridor
Industrial/public railway/tramroad corridor; industrial railside settlement (terraced housing and large cemetery); former agri-industrial function. Back to Map
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HLCA 010 Mynydd Margam Forest
Extensive 20th century forestry plantation (Ancient and other broadleafed woodland); formerly open mountain and enclosed land; former monastic land: grange and chapel; relict multi-period archaeological landscape: prehistoric, medieval, and post-medieval settlement (loose dispersed settlement pattern) and fields, prehistoric funerary and ritual with a prehistoric defensive element; prehistoric, medieval and post-medieval communications corridor; accumulation of blanket peat with environmental potential; industrial archaeological features. Back to Map
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HLCA 011 Waun-y-Gilfach
20th century forestry plantation; former unenclosed 'Waun'; footpaths and tracks. Back to Map
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HLCA 012 Nant y Gadlys and Nant Bryncynan
Ancient and other broadleafed woodland; medieval/post-medieval agricultural settlement/fields; post-medieval vernacular buildings; industrial (milling) archaeology. Back to Map
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HLCA 013 Upper Cwm Kenfig
Multi-period and multi-functional upland landscape with important relict archaeology: prehistoric and medieval settlement/fields, prehistoric funerary and ritual landscape, prehistoric enclosures (upland agricultural landscape features); accumulation of blanket peat with environmental potential; important prehistoric and medieval communication corridor. Back to Map
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HLCA 014 Moel Ton Mawr
20th century forestry plantation on former open unenclosed mountain; similar to HLCA 010; relict archaeology: funerary and ritual; communication features; accumulation of blanket peat with environmental potential. Back to Map
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HLCA 015 Upper Park and Ton-y-grugos
Enclosed upland grazing: large regular enclosures; distinctive field boundaries; relict archaeology: prehistoric, medieval and post-medieval settlement/fields; prehistoric enclosures (upland agricultural landscape features); buried archaeology: parchmark. Back to Map
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HLCA 016 Ton Mawr
Enclosed agricultural landscape with possible medieval (or earlier origins); post-medieval settlement/fields; distinctive field boundaries; Ancient Woodland; footpaths and tracks. Back to Map
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HLCA 017 Cwm Dyffryn: Southern Valley Sides
Post-medieval settlement/fields; varied field pattern and distinctive field boundaries; settlement pattern: dispersed and minor ribbon development; minor communications. Back to Map
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