Pen-yr-Allt

Cadw's description

Location

Located on an elevated hillside site above the Nant-y-Creigiau, towards the northern boundary of the community; accessed via a lane running N from the old Roman road in the direction of Abergele.

History

Probably late C16 storeyed lateral chimney house, partly rebuilt and enlarged in 1710 by Thomas Jones DJ, as recorded on an heraldic plaque above the entrance. A further L-shaped range was added to the rear in the second-quarter C19.

Exterior

One-and-a-half storey house of irregular Z-plan. Of rendered and whitened rubble with old slate roofs retaining small slates; crudely-kneelered rubble gable parapets to the T-shaped earlier section. This also has projecting gabled end chimneys and a large lateral chimney with tall stack to the rear of the primary block. The entrance front comprises 2 ranges at right-angles of which that to the R has the entrance; C18 6-panel door in an ovolo-moulded frame, with the upper 4 panels removed and now glazed. Above the entrance is a fine heraldic plaque of sandstone with the date 1710 and a Latin inscription 'What you have not made yourself you cannot call your own'. To the L of the entrance is a 12-pane C19 casement window with projecting stone sill; R of the entrance is a late C19 2-part 8-pane French window with marginal glazing. The upper floor has modern 2-pane casement windows contained within 2 hipped-roofed dormers, deeply breaking the eaves. The L wing has 12-pane casements as before, the upper one in a similar dormer. The L gable end has a late C19 lean-to porch extruded in the angle formed by the projecting chimney breast; 5-panel door.

The C19 L-shaped addition adjoins to the rear, forming a double-pile arrangement with the entrance range. This has a single-storey canted bay to its advanced side gable (NE) with C19 12-pane unhorned sashes; tripartite sash to the first floor, with a central 9-pane and flanking 3-pane sections. The rear has further contemporary 12-pane sashes with a modern entrance to the L return of the gabled rear projection and a (C19) lateral chimney to its R (SW) side. C19 16-pane cross-window to the R of the lateral chimney to the rear of the primary range, with a 12-pane casement above, contained within a shallow catslide dormer. A small single-storey C19 projection adjoins the SE arm of the primary T-planned section.

Interior

Wide early C18 lugged pine architrave to entrance passage and plain beams to ground floor ceilings; moulded cornice and panelled shutters and reveals to main ground floor room. There is said to be some relocated panelling in the left range (not inspected at time of survey).

Reason for designation

Listed for its special interest as a dated early C18 storeyed gentry house with sub-medieval origins, retaining good external character.

Group value with other listed items at Pen-yr-Allt.