The Great George PH

Cadw's description

Location

Situated on the main commercial street which runs from south-east to north-west across Abergavenny.

History

This is an architecturally remarkable building which, for its grandeur of scale, is unlike anything else in Abergavenny. It is extremely difficult to date because it has design characteristics from either the later C17 or early C19, but appears to have been built as a unit and so is much likelier to be nearer the latter date than the former. The use of the giant order in the manner of Inigo Jones is unusual, but a part of the remarkable effect created is because the ground falls on both elevations, with the Monk Street one in particular resulting in a giant doorway at the far end of the elevation. None of the joinery is earlier than c1820, so perhaps c1825 is the best estimate for the whole. The maps of 1760 and 1801 both show the site as built on, Coxe in 1801 shows a large building as now but apparently with a central courtyard suggesting that it has been replaced. Further evidence supporting c1825 is suggested by the clear heightening of the chimney stack of the adjoining but much lower No. 46, which probably dates from the mid C18. Since the early C19 there has been little alteration above the ground floor, and that has two C20 and one late C19 frontages. The site of No. 49 is recorded as housing a Non-Conformist Chapel in 1688, the first in Abergavenny; this stayed until 1751. It was a public house, The Wine Vaults in 1775, later Bellamy's Wine Vaults (1834 map) and became The Great George in 1920. 'Great George' is said to refer to the badge of the Order of the Garter conferred on the Duke of Wellington in 1851.

Interior

Interior not inspected at resurvey except for the ground floor where No. 49 and No. 1 Monk Street interiors have been amalgamated into a single bar/restaurant area with nothing historic visible.

Reason for designation

Included for its special interest as a probably early C19 development of considerable architectural value which is part of a strong group with the other historic buildings in Cross Street.