Penparcau - Old and New

Penparcau or as it was known in 1841, Penparke, Penparciau or even Penparkie is a Welsh coastal village about 1 mile south of Aberystwyth in the County of Ceredigion, the county has also changed over the years from Cardiganshire to Dyfed and now to Ceredigion. Penparcau nestles in the shadow of a Celtic Iron age fort known as Pen Dinas. Penparcau also lies between the Rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol.

Pendinas Hill Fort

Pen Dinas is a 114 metre high hill once home to an Iron Age fort. As far as the history of the site goes, it is known that a hill fort was built at the summit around 400BC, more recently Pen Dinas has seen the addition of a chimney like monument. According to the plaque mounted on it, it was built circa 1852 in memory of the Duke of Wellington, 'Victor of Waterloo,' paid for by public subscription, some say it was even planed to be topped with a statue of a Man on horseback too.

Another feature that was in Penparcau was the Tollhouse (toll gate), it was built in 1772 and stood at the southern end of Penparcau (hence the name Southgate). it was built with local slate and Stone and roofed with Pembrokeshire slates. David Jones of Dihewyd was appointed as the first gate keeper in November 1771, and the first tolls were charged on 23 March 1772. The building contained just one room. Toll houses were very unpopular with people who had to pay to travel along the roads. Turnpike Trusts were eventually abolished in 1864 with County Councils taking over responsibility for building and maintaining roads.

In 1841 Penparcau was a Hamlet stretching on both sides of the turn pike road from Trefechan to Southgate.The population was just 239 people most of whom were workers in Agriculture and related jobs.There were also Masons, Shoemakers, Tailors, Shipwrights, Carpenters, Gardeners, Weavers and Wheelwrights. There was also an Ebenezer Chapel and this is still there today.

By John Smith