Maesbury Walks
Route
2b
-
along the road through Maesbury Marsh
On the Navigation Bridge turn to walk past the pub. If the time and need is right there will be food and drink available . . .
Cross the road to walk on the footpath and continue alongside the road, until you are opposite Waen Lane on the right.
The map on the right is the 1890 Ordnance Survey. Below is this section of the walk on the 1839 tythe map showing that little had changed apart from the addition of the warehouse to the west of the bridge:
The Navigation Inn, above right, is thought to have been a pub before the canal was built in 1795, but only the section at this end of the photo. The far end was originall a separate warehouse built next to the canal, and the two were joined together at some point to make the present L-shaped building.
On the left side of the road is Pennal Cottage, formely Wharf Cottage, and probably the original gatehouse for the Llwyn On estate which was cur through by the canal. The photo below right is the cirrent frontage of Llwyn On house, facing the road - it originally faced south but that was rather too close to the canal so it was re-modelled in the early 19th century.
On the right side of the road is Sycamore House, originally thought to have been the 'Wahrfinger's (canal wharf manager's) house, facing the canal. The section to the right was added more recently. The bricked up windows must have been an architectural feature as the house was built long after the window tax was introduced.
As you reach Waen Lane on the right you can see the Lodge on the left, complete with large wrought iron gates. This became the gatehouse for Llwyn On after the canal was built and the main house re-alligned. Initially the Lodge appears to be concrete but the view from behind shows the tone cottage underneath the concrete cladding. The low pitch roof being typically 18th century. The remain of the original chimney can also be seem on the side.
for Walks 2, 3, 4 & 8 - Route 2c - continue along the main road to Coed y Rae Lane