BBC

The ruins of an extensive mountain village have been found on the slopes of the Sugar Loaf, near Abergavenny.

Scouts working with the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers have spent a week hacking back brambles to reveal the 25-house village.

It is thought the Y Graig settlement in Glangrwyne, Powys, was abandoned in the 19th Century after its landlord increased villagers’ rent.

Conservationists believe there may be more buildings to be uncovered.

Keith Stockdale from the British Trust of Conservation Volunteers said: “There are at least 25 houses – a complete village with several hundred people with orchards and hundreds of animals like pigs and goats and donkeys.”

It hasn’t been touched since it was abandoned about 150 years ago Keith Stockdale

Mr Stockdale said the village was likely to have been abandoned because of rising rents. He said: “The village probably fell into private hands and the landlord decided to put up the rent.

“The villagers didn’t have the money so he came and took all their animals to Abergavenny market to pay for it.

“The villagers all left because their livelihoods had gone and the landlord probably came and smashed the doors and roofs so no one would come back.

“And it hasn’t been touched since it was abandoned about 150 years ago.”