Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
7 Pencei (Cornhill)
Porthmadog, Gwynedd, Wales
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Domestic
- Date of designation
- 30 March 1951
- Locality
- Porthmadog
- Town
- Porthmadog
- Community
- Porthmadog
- Unitary authority
- Gwynedd
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 52.92348, -4.13069
- Cadw reference
- 4417
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesLlyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of WalesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 5 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1795 "To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most humbly inscribed by his obedient humble servant" (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales).
Cadw's description
Location
In a block on the W side of Cornhill.
History
Cornhill is the group of buildings around the original Porthmadog harbour (Cornhill Wharf), which was built 1821-4. It became the commercial centre of the port and in 1833 Samuel Lewis noted that 'many good houses have been built, and a considerable trade is now carried on'. Buildings in Cornhill included houses, shops, bank, offices and workshops. In 1886 there were sail makers, 2 block and spar makers, 2 public houses, 4 grocers, butcher, ironmonger and a shipsmith. In addition, the Bwlch-y-Slate Quarry Co, Carnarvonshire & Merionethshire Steamship Co, Workmen's Benefit Building Society, Davies Brothers Slate Merchants, Parry & Co and Prichard Brothers ship brokers all had offices in Cornhill.
No 7 Cornhill was built in the mid C19, probably as a shop and house and added to an existing commercial and residential building (now Nos 8-10). It is shown on the 1871 Tremadog estate plan, 1885 harbour survey and 1888 Ordnance Survey.
Exterior
A 3½-storey 2-window house roofed in the same range as Nos 8-10 but separated from No 8 by a full-height vertical joint. Of large slate-stone blocks laid in regular courses, slate roof with added skylights, and stone stacks. Openings are offset towards the R. The entrance on the R has a replacement half-glazed door in a slightly wider original opening. Windows are replacements in original openings.
In the L gable end, facing the steep Grisiau Mawr, are replacement windows in each storey, of which the middle-storey window was originally a doorway. A full-height vertical joint separates the main range from an added lower rear wing built into a steep bank. Facing Grisiau Mawr it has a doorway converted to a window, a replacement window further L, and the entrance at 3rd-storey level by an inserted panel door.
Interior
Not inspected.
Reason for designation
Listed, notwithstanding window alteration, for its special architectural interest as a part of a prominent harbour-side terrace notable for its distinctive use of local stone and of definite C19 regional character, and for its contribution to the historical integrity of Porthmadog harbour.
Nearby in the register
- 8 Pencei (Cornhill)No class recordedunder 1 mi
- 9 Pencei (Cornhill)No class recordedunder 1 mi
- Ty TorontoCommercialunder 1 mi
- Caffi y Morwr Madog (The Mariner Café) and houseNo class recordedunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.