Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Facade of Former Town Hall
Holywell, Flintshire, Wales
A Grade II listed building in Holywell, Flintshire, designated on 19 August 1991.
The record
- Designation
- Listed building, Grade II
- Broad class
- Civil
- Date of designation
- 19 August 1991
- Community
- Holywell
- Unitary authority
- Flintshire
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates
- 53.27367, -3.22232
- Cadw reference
- 447
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
5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1795 map "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).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1795 · To Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bart ... the map of the six counties of North Wales is most… (Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru – The National Library of Wales)
- 1830 · V.3:11-15:XV. Britisches Reich. A. Kon: England. b. Frstenthum Wales: Shire: 37-40 (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1883 · Watershed map England, Wales 3. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1896 · 96 Liverpool (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1901 · Sheet 9 and 10. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
Cadw's description
Location
Midway along the street. Only the facade is retained - modern shops behind.
History
The site originally consisted of a Market Hall (1878) behind and a Town Hall in front. The latter was built 1893-6 after over 10 years of debate as to what sort of building to be erected. The architect was R Lloyd Williams (Denbighshire County Architect) and the builder was Abel Jones of Rhyl. After the designs had been completed it was decided to incorporate the town clock tower into the facade; this had been erected freestanding in High Street in 1867 "by public subscription to commemorate the coming of age of Pyers William Mostyn Esq, August 14th 1867. Removed to this building in the year 1895." Behind the facade the building was demolished in 1986.
Exterior
Civic early Gothic; 2-storeys, 5+1-bays. Coursed local rubble with freestone dressings; including bracket cornice, impost and sill bands and plinth. Composition dominated by freestone clock tower rising from 1st floor sill level with robust detail; octagonal bellcote. Circular clock face over inscribed plaque recessed and flanked by granite shafts. Stepped out below with machicolated style brackets is a stilted arch over a roundel and two pointed arches. Lancets flank clock tower and main 1st floor window under gable with finial; 2-light window with horizontal glazing bars and quatrefoil. Paired lights to ground floor with dividing polished granite columns. Former main entrance below clock tower with nook shafts, foliage capitals and stained glass overlight. To the right the 'central' window is flanked by 1914-19 War Memorials by Welsby of Widnes. Granite coats of arms of Holywell Urban District Council above. High cambered carriage arch to right. Lower 1st floor parapet and sill and 4-trefoil headed horned sash windows.
Reason for designation
Listed for its important contribution to the town centre.
Group value.
Nearby in the register
- 29Commercialunder 1 mi
- 25Commercialunder 1 mi
- 27Commercialunder 1 mi
- The Red Lion PHCommercialunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.