The famous
English poet Shelley was very fond
of the Elan Valley, and in 1811 he stayed
for a short time in two country houses in the area. The two houses were
Cwm Elan near the River Elan and Nantgwyllt,
close by the River Claerwen just before it joined the Elan.
This photograph shows Cwm Elan house,
with the River Elan in the front of the picture. The house had belonged
to Shelley's uncle. The mansion was in a very beautiful spot, with woodlands
and hills behind the house and lawns sloping down to the river at the
front.
In the picture below you can
see Cwm Elan in the middle of the picture, and the almost complete Garreg-ddu
dam in the foreground. The water was then very close to the
house, which was knocked down before the reservoir was finally filled.
