Garden pavilion at Craig-y-nos

Cadw's description

Location

Set at river level, below and SE of the Castle, the ground rising steeply to the rear.

History

The garden pavilion is of c 1880, part of the late C19 Patti development, set opposite croquet and tennis lawns and adjacent to the rose garden. Repaired, restored and repainted 2000; the dragon finials already re-made in 1970s were also reinstated.

Exterior

Small games pavilion in exotic chalet style. Timber-framed, originally with plaster infill, rendered and painted with part red and blue brick, part rendered plinth; roof of terracotta fishscale tiles with decorative blue bands, terracotta ridge tiles, decorative apex finials, two depicting dragons; very decorative bargeboards, swept, overhanging and bracketed eaves, small hip to the side gable ends. 3 bays; the centre bay has a very decorative gable, higher than the main roofline, the timbers curved and swept and incorporating a louvred upper opening with shield below; the doorway consists of a wide semi-circular timber arch with side posts on a curved dado of moulded timber rail and decorative panels with tiled floor forming a porch; doorway to the changing rooms is set within the boarding to rear. On either side are cross windows of diamond quarries with coloured glass set within the framing, the moulded sillband continuous with the porch rail.

Interior

Interior is boarded, partly diagonally, in 3 sections, a central lobby, painted blue and white, and changing rooms, dark brown, on either side with lift-up lidded seats for storage of games equipment. Leading off are washrooms and lavatories with some original fittings.

Reason for designation

Included as a specially interesting structure from the late C19 garden development; group value with other listed items at Craig-y-nos.