The Black Lion Hotel, including service range to left

Cadw's description

Location

Situated on street line in centre of continuous row.

History

Earlier C19, possibly rebuilt 1835

Exterior

Large inn and coaching hotel in stucco with slate hipped deep-eaved roof and 2 big rendered stacks brackets to eaves concealed by C20 fascia. Three-storey, 5-window main range of 1-3-1 bays, and lower 2-storey service wing to left, which with No 13 High Street (q.v.) forms a near symmetrical overall composition.

Main front has wall-face slightly projected for outer window bays and 2 broad bands, one at first floor sill-level and one between upper floors, extending across 3-window centre. Five square 6-pane attic windows with slate sills, three first-floor centre 12-pane sashes with slate sills and outer 4-12-4-pane tripartite sashes in arched recesses continuing down to ground floor. Ground floor altered in later C19 with projecting square bay windows to centre and outer bays, 12-pane sashes between. Old photographs appear to show that there were sashes where there are bay-windows and doors where there are sashes. The centre 3 windows are in arched recesses.

Service Range to left is of 4 windows, with projecting gable to left, big rendered stack on roof slope and large stone E end stack. Gable (which matches that on No 13) has fretted bargeboards, quoins, 2-storey arched recess with first floor tripartite sash (as on main range) but ground-floor similar window replaced by C20 glazed entry.
Range between has carriage arch with big wooden gates adjoining main range, 12-pane sash over and 2-window range to left of 12-pane sashes, larger below.

Interior

Altered except for stair with stick balusters and moulded rail.

Reason for designation

Listed for its special historic interest as the principal social centre of the town from the early C19 and for its special architectural interest as a good example of a coaching hotel with good architectural character of this period. Group value with other listed items on High Street.