No. 2 Rock Cottages

Cadw's description

Location

Situated attached to The Piggin at NW edge of town.

History

One of a pair of rubble-stone fronted timber-framed small houses, C18 probably, sited opposite the stone quarry at the foot of Castle Hill. No 1 was formerly the Piggin Tavern, or Pig & Whistle, then the pair and the two cottages beyond were called Rock Cottages. Marked on 1833 map as owned by the Powis estate, and on 1839 tithe map as occupied by Thomas Weaver Jr, Thomas Weaver Sr occupying the inn next door. The present road on to Caerhowell was not made until the mid 1840s.

Exterior

Cottage, white painted rubble stone with slate eaves roof and red brick right end stack. One storey and attic, double fronted with large C19 eaves breaking gabled dormers and cambered-headed window each side of door. On ground floor, a casement-pair window with small panes, iron opening light and old catches each side of a cambered-headed ledged door. The two gabled dormers have bargeboards and finials and long casement pairs with small panes, iron opening lights, and old catches. A recessed panel above the door has been infilled since 1983. Straight joint in front wall to The Piggin. Exposed square panels of timber-framing with plaster infilling in rear elevation.
Matching single bay C19 addition to left with brick end stack, similar dormer, rendered wall over slate lean-to roof covering renewed three-sided bay window and open porch to modern door. End wall part brick part stone shows that this was built up from a lower outbuilding.

Interior

Joists and beams in right room covered over. Left room with chamfered axial beam and joists.

Reason for designation

Included for its special historic interest as one of a pair of C18 double-fronted cottages combining timber framing and stone construction and retaining some good detail including locally distinctive fenestration.