Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Post Office
Blaenavon, Torfaen, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Communications
- Date of designation
- 9 February 1995
- Community
- Blaenavon
- Unitary authority
- Torfaen
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 51.77223, -3.08586
- Cadw reference
- 15279
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1636 "Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ..." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Cadw's description
Location
Prominently situated at the south end of the town on the west side of Prince Street, opposite the junction with Ivor Street.
History
The building dates from 1937 and is similar in design to, although larger than, the Post Office at Blackwood.
Exterior
Deep roofed Queen Anne Revival building, on a rectangular plan, with extensions to rear. Symmetrical 2-storey, 5-window main facade, with roughcast render, dressed stone quoins and a marble plinth. All the windows are square-headed sashes with horned small-pane glazing. Hipped roof is of a conspicuous Cumbrian green slate.
At ground floor, the central pedimented doorway has a 'Gibbs Surround', the keystone of which is inscribed 'GR 1937'. The six panel wooden door has a rectangular fanlight with decorative glazing bars. Above the pediment the words 'POST OFFICE' are in relief white lettering. Far right ground floor window drops to ground level at its centre and has a clockface set into its upper sash. Deep wooden eaves cornice with dentils.
Interior
Many of the internal fittings remain on the ground floor, including polychrome tiled flooring, mahogany panelling and counters. The service counter which originally ran the length of the ground floor,has been reused across the width. Service hatches and doorways to sorting offices remain as does the GPO mahogany clock.
Reason for designation
Listed as a good example of an inter-war Post Office.
Nearby in the register
- Group of Five Tombs in the Churchyard to south of St Peter's ChurchReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- Horeb Baptist ChurchReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
- 15 Broad StreetCommercialunder 1 mi
- St Peter's ChurchReligious, Ritual and Funeraryunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.