Pentre

Cadw's description

Location

Reached by a track to west of a minor road about 1½ km south-west of the village of Llanfechain.

History

A timber-framed hall house of the C16, retaining a fine dais partition. On the west side of the middle frame (facing the dais end) is a roughly hacked out recess with gathered sides suggestive of an early fire-hood having been attached here. The house was later given a central chimney on the east side of this frame. Subsidiary construction indicative of the dating of the chimney and hence the storeyed adaptation of the house are the two ribbed stacks and the staircase, both early C17. The end bay of the house to the east is in brickwork suggesting an C18 rebuild.

The exterior timber framing of the house remains largely accessible on the north side, behind later lean-to extensions, but the exterior wall to south and west has been reconstructed in C19 Ruabon brickwork.

The farm was noted in the Tithe Survey as part of the Bonnor Morris estate.

Exterior

A former farmhouse on land sloping down to the east and south, but the site itself terraced. The house is of 1½ or two storeys, ranging east/west (north-east/south-west). Brickwork exterior, generally in Ruabon bricks but with the east bay in earlier handmade bricks with two dentilled string courses. The east bay on the south side is in a common orange brick, apparently contemporary with the Ruabon bricks. Three lean-to or catslide roofed extensions of differing heights on the north side, one at west. Slate roofs with tile ridges. Large mid chimney offset to the east, with ribbed twin stacks in grey stone; the stacks are also joined at the cap where there is extra ribbing. End-stack in brickwork at the east gable.

The conspicuous side of the house in that to the south, now an irregular C19 elevation with four through-eaves dormer windows. Three of these windows are of timber mullion and transom type with iron casements and glazing bars. The fourth is a pair of casements beneath an overlight set within the triangle of the dormer gable. Lower windows also of timber mullion and transom type with iron casements and glazing bars; three modern doors. Other C19 fenestration to east and in the east bay of the north side, with iron casements and glazing bars; irregular small-pane modern fenestration elsewhere to north side. Two small roof-lights in the north side of the main roof.

Interior

Four-bay hall house with dais to west, converted to lobby entrance type. Fine dais partition of post and panel type with single doorway at its north side. Carpenter's marks legible. Chamfered panel heads. Good C17 staircase with splat balusters. An early (cross-passage?) door-head noted at north side in the third bay.

Reason for designation

Listed mainly for interior survival of good carpentry features from the mediaeval farmhouse; the exterior largely rebuilt or reclad, but still displaying old brickwork in the east bay and particularly fine stone chimneys.