Priory House Conservative Club

Cadw's description

Location

On the street continuing Church Street east out of the town centre.

History

Probably C18 in origin but very altered and enlarged in the mid C19 when two houses were converted into one (Priory House) and then further extended and changed before 1948 when it was taken over by Monmouth Conservative Club . It is shown on the John Wood map of 1835, apparently already a single address. Previous to 1835 it was the Monmouth Classical Academy.

Exterior

Roughcast and painted with a modern dark red tile roof. Three storeys on the right and two storeys on the left, once separate houses. Five windows in all, with three in the 3-storey part. This has plain 2 over 2 pane sashes on the ground and first floors with a band between. On the right a small enclosed porch with two plain columns, flat hood on dentil cornice. The upper floor has early C20 cross-framed casements. On right (west) side a strange first floor conservatory with tile roof. Two fluted Doric columns on street side of this on the first floor, possibly brought from elsewhere. Range of plain glazing along the west side of the upper storey, bracketed eaves, roof hipped front to back. The 2-storey part on the left has three arched windows on the ground floor, the centre one converted to a door; the left hand window is 3 over 3 panes, the right one 2 over 2, wrought iron area railings attached on the left, so the right hand window was originally the door of the separate house. The roof has a brick dentil eaves cornice and is hipped over all with three ridge stacks. Two storey garage part on left with one casement window above garage door, dentil cornice and plain roof. Rear elevation not seen.

Interior

The interior of the ground floor has been completely altered, both in planning and decoration, for its club use. Upper floors not seen at resurvey.

Reason for designation

Included for its special architectural interest as a multi-period house (now converted to a club) facing St. Mary's churchyard.