Primary Domestic Range at Llechryd

Cadw's description

Location

Located immediately SE of Llechryd.

History

Llechryd is mentioned in de Beckele's Extent of Denbigh in 1334 and is traditionally taken to be the birthplace of Iolo Goch (c1320-c1398), the great medieval Welsh poet. There are two houses presently on the site, of which this, now a barn, is the earlier. In essence it is a late medieval box-framed timber hall-house. To this, c1600 was added a 2-bay stone (parlour?) addition at the N end and later the primary range was given a southern gable chimney and encased in masonry (on the W side) and brick (largely on the E side); wall posts and cross-rails are still discernable on the latter side. Long in use as a barn/ storage, the E side of the building has 2 re-used C17 leaded windows (one, a cross window, relocated on its side). These are probably from the later house and were placed there when the latter was refenestrated in the C19.

This house is close to the earlier dwelling which remains but is now used as a barn.

Exterior

Long, low building of one-and-a-half storeys; of timber-framed and rubble construction with some brick infill to the E side; whitened rubble to the W side and the gable ends. Slate roof to the northern (additional) bays; corrugated iron roof to the remainder. The S gable has an end chimney with plain capping and weathercoursing; a late C18 or early C19 oven with slate-slab roof projects from the gable. The W side has a 3 entrances to the ground floor with a further, blocked opening between the third and fourth; all have boarded doors. At the far L is a shallow catslide dormer with a 2-light open mullioned window deeply breaking the eaves. To the R is a further, smaller 2-light window under the eaves; this is sub-medieval and retains its pegged oak frame. The E side has a C17 oak cross-window inserted on its side above an old boarded and framed door to the L; the central section is of brick, though wall-posts and sections of cross-rail are visible. Beyond is a large 3-light mullioned leaded window (again an insertion), with a small square, oak-framed window below, apparently sub-medieval. R of this is the sub-medieval addition, which has 3 further original windows and small rubble lean-to addition at the far end. The N gable has a rubble gable parapet and an external stone-stpped access to an upper entrance with boarded door.

Interior

Framed partition trusses to the primary section, with pegged oak collar and raking strut trusses, and the suggestion on the southern-most of smoke blackening. Large fireplace with chamfered bressummer to the S end, with wide stopped-chamfered ceiling beam and associated joists.

Reason for designation

Listed for its special historic interest as a C17/C18 regional house and its site which has historic associations with the famous C14 poet Iolo Goch.

Group value with other listed buildings at Llechryd.