Chain Back with conduit and milestone

Cadw's description

Location

Wall on the N side of Main Street holding higher road access to Nos. 62 to 82 Main Street. Conduit and mileplate are approximately half way along the retaining wall.

History

C19 retaining wall to raised roadway in front of Nos 62-84. Conduit and milestone probably early to mid C19; Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of 1833 refers to a series of seven conduits in the old town. The iron railings are early to mid C20, not shown in 1909 photograph, and the name Chain Back is said to be relatively recent. The row of houses on Chain Back was known as Orielton Terrace, and were part of the Orielton estate, Nos 64-68 were rebuilt as Orielton Terrace in the 1860s after the estate sale of 1857.

Exterior

Retaining wall of some 75m, stone rubble to raised roadway in front of houses, ramped each end. Flight of steps before no. 70. Wall surmounted by grey limestone coping under C20 cemented kerb surface in which are embedded cast-iron bollards with iron chain railings from middle bosses, iron tubular rail from top bosses, and ball finials. The conduit and milestone are embedded in the wall at a point below no. 74 and comprise a rectangular structure of dressed grey limestone with semi-circular niche, cornice and crowning semi-circular stone with square cast-iron plate inscribed 'Tenby/ 10/ miles' . Tap in niche fixed to iron plate marked 'J. Stone & Co Deptford'.

Reason for designation

Included for its special historic interest and for group value with listed houses on Main Street.