Gelli House

Cadw's description

Location

Approached along a short track that runs N off the B4521 in the centre of Llanvetherine village.

History

A probably late-C15, two bay cruck framed hall-house. Remnants of the centre cruck truss of the former hall survive. The hall was subsequently floored, probably in the early C17 and a two storey block added at the E end in the early C19.

Exterior

Limewashed rubble stone, slate roof, brick stacks. Front elevation faces S. C15 hall house (to left) is single storey plus attic with three small C20 roof lights. Ground floor has repaired C17 ovolo mullions: to left is a 2-light and to right a 3-light window; timber lintels and stone sills. Attached C19 addition (to right) is two storey with projecting end stacks. First floor has C20 12-pane hornless sash with stone lintel and thin stone sill. Ground floor entrance doorway (left) has canopy with flat hood supported on shaped consoles, and 6-panel door. To right, is a similar 12-pane sash. Attached to gable-end is two storey outbuilding and garage. Back of house not accessible at time of resurvey (August 1999) but hall back wall contains C17 2-light ovolo mullion on ground floor.

Interior

Entry to hall is through C19 kitchen, but formerly direct gable entry. Two-unit plan comprising hall and partitioned service rooms at lower end. Stone-flagged hall has chamfered ceiling beams with hollow and fillet (Wern-hir) stops. Hall fireplace has deep, chamfered lintel with straight cut stops and monolithic stone jambs. To left is plank and batten door of fireplace stair. Transverse post and panel partition has openings at each end marking position of former doorways to rear service rooms. To right of partition is chamfered foot of cruck blade. Service rooms are separated by similar axial post and panel partition. On first floor the N cruck blade is visible. Mortices on soffit of purlins suggest open hall formerly had wind braces.

Reason for designation

Well-preserved small hall-house with medieval origins, remodelled in early C17 with added unit of early C19, creating unusual plan and facade. Good interior detail, including remains of early roof, and post-and- panel partitions.