Gibraltar Cottage

Cadw's description

Location

Situated against the steep slope of the hill above Bennar Terrace and bordered to the E side and rear by a narrow, part stepped lane.

History

A large late C17 building with inverted J plan, apparently conceived from the outset as a complex of independent domestic units.

Exterior

Of rubble with slate roofs and rubble gable parapets. Large end stacks flanking the main front range with a further stack at the N gable end at rear; plain capping and weather coursing.
The main (front) range is of 3 storeys; irregular ground floor arrangement of doors and windows; all are recessed and have modern plain glazing. The L doorway is now a full-height plain-glazed window.That to the R is a 15-pane glazed door. 3 further modern windows to both first and second floors, those to the latter within rubble gableddormers. Single storey rubble lean-to to the E, abutting the stepped path; the NE corner of the main range is rounded. 2 similar dormers tothe rear, flanking the first arm of the building's L-shaped rear projection; both were originally entrances, that to the R now a modern window. That to the L has original stepped and parapeted access leading to a modern 9-panelled, part glazed door; this is the entrance to Upper Cottage. A passageway beneath the stepped access leads to a small courtyard, open to the W.

The L-shaped rear range forms Gibraltar Cottage; single storey plus basement floor. 3 gabled dormers to E face as before, though that to the R an entrance with recessed, modern part-glazed door. Modern 4-pane casements to remaining dormers and beneath, at ground level, 2 plain windows. Within the courtyard, further dormers to the W face ofthe L range and to the rear of the main range; this with stepped access as before. Two modern rooflights. Steep worn stone steps leaddown to the courtyard to the side of the W gable end of the rearrange.

Reason for designation

Included despite modern alterations as the earliest unit-planned domestic complex in Barmouth.