The Guildhall

Cadw's description

Location

Located on the N side of Castle Plain with the castle to the S. Pedestrian access from George Street.

History

The town hall was rebuilt in 1773 with a corn market beneath at the expense of the Lord of the Manor and Borough. The building formed the fourth side of a market square with stalls around the other sides. In 1896 the corn market on the lower floor was converted to a library and reading room. A C19 photograph shows the guildhall with a tall stepped side stack, now truncated.

Exterior

Four-window range with lower, narrower E unit and W porch. Single storey and basement. Rendered stone under slate roofs with stone stack to E end of main range. Gabled porch with W front of dressed stone. The entrance consists of an elliptical arch of voussoirs containing late C20 steel gates reached by 9 stone steps flanked by plain iron railings. String course above and moulded kneelers to raised gable. A slate plaque attached to the top of the arch reads 'Guildhall / Rebuilt 1773'. A carriage lamp is fixed to the apex. Inside the porch, double boarded doors lead into the hall, and fixed to the N wall is an old stone tablet with arched head, inscribed 'This market place was erected for the Right Hon. John Lord Cardiff under the direction of Mr William Dav...'. A small slate plaque on the S wall is to Sir David Evans 1847-1907, Lord Mayor of London 1891-2, born at Glanmychydd Farm, Llantrisant.

The N side has 6-over-6-pane horned sash windows under segmental heads with stone sills. Aligned beneath to the basement storey, are full-height round headed openings with raised surrounds. These contain 6-over-6-pane hornless sash windows with side lights, except for the R opening which has a planked door with overlight. The narrower unit to the L has a 6-over-6-pane sash to the upper storey, to light the clerk's office.

On the S side of the porch is a small rubble lean-to with boarded door. In the centre of the S wall of the hall is a projecting side stack, now truncated to eaves level. There are no window openings. The E unit has a planked door under a segmental head to the main storey, reached by an external stone staircase. The E gable end has a small blind window with flat head and stone sill. Below is a planked door under a segmental head and a blocked window opening, reached through a small roofless brick enclosure.

Interior

The main hall has a picture rail and C20 benches flanking a central aisle. Small clerk's office and toilet in rear E unit. No internal access to basement storey, which is entered through the external N doorway. It has 4 bays divided by pilasters and moulded cross beams. Small kitchen in E unit.

Reason for designation

Listed as a carefully designed public building retaining its character and for its historical interest.