Please note, the majority of properties on the trail are now private residences,

please respect their privacy.

Ford Farm, Llancarfan

Ford Farm is an old farmstead in the Llancarfan valley, close to the ford over Ford Brook. Its history goes back at least to the 17th century: in 1697 the antiquarian Edward Lhuyd recorded “old works or Bulwarks” on Ford Farm, noting that the property belonged to Jesus College, Oxford. The farm is also shown on the 1840 Llancarfan Tithe Map, when it was owned by Jesus College and occupied by John Griffiths. The name itself has an interesting local history. Although it might seem to refer simply to the ford across the stream, the farm was traditionally pronounced locally as “Vord”, and an 1891 census records John John as the tenant. A contemporary newspaper report appears to have interpreted “John, Vord” as the name “John Vord”.

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries Ford Farm was a relatively small working farm, with its buildings arranged around the valley and the nearby watercourses. Historic mapping shows the farmhouse and agricultural buildings, including a byre, outbuildings and pigsty. The farm remained associated with Jesus College until 1961. It subsequently became particularly associated with the Williams family; Thomas Williams was farming there in the early 20th century, and his son Lyn continued farming at Ford Farm until 1971. Another son, Towyn Williams, born at Ford Farm in 1926, later recalled transporting milk from the farm by horse and cart for delivery to Barry. These memories provide a vivid picture of Ford Farm as part of the traditional farming community of Llancarfan.