Last House in Former Welsh Mining Village to Be Auctioned
The final remaining house in Troedrhiwfuwch, a former Welsh mining village abandoned nearly 50 years ago due to landslide concerns, is set to go up for auction.
In 1985, over 600 residents along with their pets left Troedrhiwfuwch, located in Gwent's Rhymney Valley, amid fears that the village would suffer a catastrophic landslip.
2 Lawrence Terrace stands as the only surviving house in the village, with auctioneers assigning a guide price of £35,000.
Survival of the Sole House
Sean Roper, representing Paul Fosh Auctions, commented on the house's unique status:
"Why this otherwise ordinary three-bedroom house survived while all the others didn't remains a bit of a mystery but it may be a story a new owner of the property may wish to unravel."
The property is one of two remaining structures in the village, the other being the former post office building. Additionally, a war memorial still stands.
Village History and Infrastructure
Once a thriving community, Troedrhiwfuwch featured a chapel, church, shop, pub, school, library, post office, and terraced houses. Records indicate the village comprised 94 houses arranged along three streets: High Street, Chapel Road, and Lawrence Terrace.
Geological Concerns and Evacuation
Local council authorities had long been concerned about the area's geology, noting that the mountain was shifting. Eventually, fears grew that a landslide could engulf the village without warning.
As a result, all residents were relocated, and the majority of houses and buildings were demolished.
Details of the Remaining House
The surviving house features two reception rooms, a kitchen, and a bathroom on the ground floor, with three bedrooms on the upper floor. It also includes front and back gardens along with sheds.
Significance of the Sale
Sean Roper further emphasized the unique nature of this sale:
"It's a vastly overused word but this is a truly unique sale for all manner of reasons, the main one being that the house offers a real-life connection to a now vanished community where a population of more than 600 men, women and children and their pets, once thrived.
"The lone house, number 2, Lawrence Terrace, in the vanished village of Troedrhiwfuwch, near New Tredegar is a curious link to another age.
"Whatever the circumstances this sale offers an unrepeatable opportunity for someone to acquire a property with a wonderfully amazing history."
Auction Details
The house is listed for sale via an online auction starting at 12:00 BST on 23 June and concluding at 14:00 on 25 June.
