Old Cross Keys PH

Cadw's description

Location

Formerly in the middle of a long street, now an isolated building in open ground opposite St Mary’s Church.

History

Originally a first floor hall-house of L-shaped plan dating from C14, largely altered in C17. Heavily restored in 1950 and 1959. Possibly formed part of the Hospital of the Blessed St David built by Henry Gower, Bishop of St Davids (foundation deed 1332). Later in the possession of the Herbert family.

Built with main block aligned parallel to St Mary’s Street and with a rear wing to N; the W end of the main block has been curtailed.

Exterior

2 storey frontage with twin 3-storey gables, rubble cills with recessed pointing, modern tiled roofs; tall parapet with low stack to (rebuilt) right gable end, second staff to left. 2 and 3-light moulded, timber mullioned windows with overall dentilled lintels, leaded glazing, moulded cills. Lean-to hood to doorway between gables. Flat roofed extensions in similar style, 2 doorways in angle, facing Princess Way.

2-storey and attic rear gabled wing retains medieval freestone lancets, single with chamfered surround to attic, cusped pair to 1st floor and cusped single light to ground floor. Further flat-roofed extension beyond.

Interior

Interior retains chamfered timber beams with chamfered uprights to bar interiors. Some parts of the early roof structure remain, including two early hall trusses of false arch-base type (or crucks?), the principal rafters shouldered at the centre to take the soffit in a continuous curve, scalloped decoration towards wall heads. Two similar, but simpler, trusses remain in rear wing. Remains of stone chimney-piece etc.

Reason for designation

Group value.