Punch Bowl Public House

Cadw's description

Location

On S corner with Bell Lane.

History

Late C17 or early C18 building with later details to facade, although parts of basement suggest C16/C17 origins. All shown on 1834 "Plan of Brecknock". Nos 29 and 30 were formerly The Bell Inn. The great room of The Bell was used for the theatrical performances by touring companies in the late C18. One of the most famous of these companies was the Kemble family and here William Siddons made his final pleas in front of the audience, for the young Sarah Kemble’s hand in marriage. Sarah had been born in Brecon in 1755 above the Inn now named after her. One of Britain's greatest tragic actresses, she was painted by both Reynolds (as "The Tragic Muse") and Gainsborough. She died in 1831.

Exterior

High Street front three storeys, five bays; pebbledashed. Slate roof with one box dormer. Deeply projecting eaves with panelled soffit. Band at second floor level. Small-pane sash windows with moulded wood architraves. Second floor windows with cornices and bracketed sills; blocked opening in centre, others 6-pane sashes. First floor windows with architraves and cornices; 15-pane sashes. On ground floor, two late C19 to early C20 public house and shop fronts. That to No 29 with windows to centre, doorway to each end, all articulated by pilasters and surmounted by bracketed cornice. Further bay at N end with camber-headed archway over Bell Lane, pebbledashed and with modillion eaves cornice to first floor wall and slate roof over.

Interior

The Great Room remains, now divided between Nos.29 & 30.

Within No.29 an early C19 stair, and early C19 panelled doors. The C18 modillion cornice of the Grand Room remains, although there are early C19 subdivisions.

Reason for designation

Well-preserved C18 building with additional historic interest of theatrical performances, and connections with Sarah Siddons. Group Value with adjacent listed buildings the historic centre of Brecon.