The Cell

Cadw's description

Location

On the corner of Wyesham Avenue and Redbrook Road (A466)

History

House with a complex history and building history. First the Church of St Thomas the Martyr, and said to have origins as chapel before 1186. Known as King's Chapel by 1500, and in use as place of worship until becoming Dixton Vicarage by 1740. Wyesham Poorhouse by 1815. Private house by 1890.

Exterior

Colourwashed stone rubble with a modern tiled roof. Single depth main range runs south-west - north-east with wings to ends forming small yard to rear. One-and-a-half and two storeys. Mainly plastic window frames (but wooden frames remain to left gable end, and rear).
Main front faces south-east. To the left, a two storey, three window section with stepped buttresses to each corner. First floor has two windows and a sundial on the right; on ground floor, three windows, (but central window was formerly a doorway). To the right, the oldest part of house has a steeply-pitched roof with catslide dormer, large chimney to right gable end; on ground floor to the left), a porch and to its right, a square window, buttress to corner. The right gable end of this section has lean-to kitchen which extends as wing to rear of house. At attic level, the gable end has trefoil-headed single-light window. Left gable end has rectangular bay window (c1900?) with leaded lights; to rear of this, wing with recessed external stair up to first floor doorway and small-pane window; large ground floor window; hipped roof to rear, window to each floor (ground floor window has modern wooden frame); two chimneys to inner slope of roof. To rear, wings form yard, lean-to extensions on two sides.
The rear elevation was not seen at resurvey.

Interior

Interior not seen at resurvey. Details taken from spot-listing inspection in 1996.
Ground floor of main block has exposed rough joists to ceiling of main room, large fireplace, simple dogleg stair. Study has two wooden corbels of angels with heraldic shields. First floor has old arch-braced roof trusses ceiled at collar level; end truss said to be cusped above ceiling level. Trefoil window has jambs deeper than head. There are said to be other windows beneath plaster including a 3-light medieval window beneath the plaster on south wall.

Reason for designation

Listed for the special interest of its medieval origins and historic interest in the Monmouth locality.