Plas-yn-rhos

Cadw's description

Location

Approximately 300m N of Rhosesmor church, set back and reached by farm road on the E side of the B5123.

History

Dated 1619 and originally comprising hall and parlour with a central timber-framed cross passage. A second, unheated parlour in a gabled projection was added soon afterwards with access from the hall. The rear wing was probably a secondary dwelling which may also have been added later, although roof details suggest it is also C17. Many of the windows were enlarged mid C20.

Exterior

A 2-storey farmhouse of whitened render and slate roof with external stack to the R and lateral stack behind to the L. A central boarded door is in a C19 wood-chamfered frame. It is flanked by 4-light window to the R and 3-light to the L, with a similar 4-light window upper R and 2-light L of centre in the upper storey, all inserted mid C20. On the L side of the upper storey is a 4-light mullioned window under a coped gablet with moulded kneelers. The gabled single-storey second parlour (now a kitchen) abuts the L angle of the front. Its side wall facing the house has a 3-light window and boarded door to its R, and a 2-light window in its gable end, all details mid C20. It rear lateral wall retains a 2-light mullioned window, while the rear gable end has a 2-light window with ovolo mullions and drip stone.

The L gable end of the main range retains a 2-light ovolo-mullioned window lower R, a 2-light window with plain chamfer in the upper storey R of centre, and a single-light window in dressed surround at a lower level to the L, its intermediate level suggesting that it originally lit a stairway.

The rear wing is single-storey with an end stack and coped gable. It faces the R side of the house, where it has a doorway to the L end and 2-light casement to the R, both under earlier wooden lintels. The rear has 3 replaced windows. On the L side of the rear wing the main range has 2 windows at the end of the cross passage, comprising a small window in dressed surround in the lower storey and metal-framed stair light above. In the upper storey is a 2-light window with ovolo mullions on the L side.

Interior

The main range retains its original 2-unit plan with central cross passage. The passage has timber-framed partitions, with the date '1619' engraved on a post on the L side, and a joisted ceiling. The added dog-leg stairs at the rear of the passage has simple balusters. The hall, on the L side of the passage, has a joist-beam ceiling with ovolo-moulded spine beam and stop-chamfered joists. The lateral hall fireplace has a plain timber lintel.

The 2-unit rear wing, originally a secondary dwelling, has a queen-post truss on wooden corbels in the larger rear unit, in the gable end of which is a wide fireplace with timber lintel.

Reason for designation

Listed as a C17 house retaining retaining regional character, early plan form and detail.