Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Detached Belfry Tower at the Church of St Sadwrn
Henllan, Denbighshire, Wales
A Grade II* listed building in Henllan, Denbighshire, designated on 24 October 1950.
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II*
- Broad class
- Religious, Ritual and Funerary
- Date of designation
- 24 October 1950
- Locality
- Henllan
- Community
- Henllan
- Unitary authority
- Denbighshire
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 53.20177, -3.46459
- Cadw reference
- 1073
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of WalesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1608 map "(13) Cambriae Typus." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1608 · (13) Cambriae Typus. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1795 · To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most… (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales)
- 1830 · V.3:11-15:XV. Britisches Reich. A. Kon: England. b. Frstenthum Wales: Shire: 37-40 (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1883 · Watershed map England, Wales 3. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1901 · Sheet 9 and 10. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
Cadw's description
Location
Prominently-sited at the cross-roads, at the NE boundary of the churchyard.
History
Medieval church tower, probably of first-half C14 date. Always detached from the church, the tower was placed high on a rock outcrop both to ensure its bells were heard throughout the (formerly extensive) parish, and also perhaps to double-up as a defensive peel tower in times of need. The bell-stage windows were replaced in the C19, probably as part of Richard Lloyd Williams' church restoration programme in 1878.
Exterior
Square, 4-stage tower of limestone construction with sandstone dressings; shallow-pitched leaded roof. The tower has a battered plinth and sits upon a tall rock outcrop. The E face has a pointed-arched primary entrance to the raised first stage; this has heavily-weathered sandstone jambs with counter-changed voussoirs of limestone and sandstone. Old (perhaps original) boarded door, recessed and with upper grille. Approaching the entrance is a flight of 9 parapetted stone steps ascending from R to L. The third (bell) stage has paired pointed-arched lights to each face with horizontally-slatted vents. Crenellated parapet with plain sandstone gargoyles to the front angles (SE and NE); C20 flagpole to the SW corner.
Interior
Plain interior on 3 stages below roof level, with exposed rubble walls and renewed floor boarding to stopped-chamfered lateral beams; ladder-stair access.
Reason for designation
Listed Grade II* as a particularly fine and scarce example of a late medieval detached church tower.
Group value with other listed items at the Church of St Sadwrn.
Nearby in the register
- Churchyard Walls and Lychgate at the Church of St SadwrnReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Group of Four Mausolea at the Church of St SadwrnReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Group of Three Chest Tombs at the Church of St SadwrnReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Parish Church of St Sadwrn including adjacent Cross ShaftReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.