History in Structure

Plas-y-Brenin, National Recreation Centre (formerly the Royal Hotel).

A Grade II Listed Building in Capel Curig, Conwy

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Coordinates

Latitude: 53.1022 / 53°6'7"N

Longitude: -3.918 / 3°55'4"W

OS Eastings: 271686

OS Northings: 357828

OS Grid: SH716578

Mapcode National: GBR 5Z.8NR1

Mapcode Global: WH54X.S9G4

Plus Code: 9C5R432J+VR

Entry Name: Plas-y-Brenin, National Recreation Centre (formerly the Royal Hotel).

Listing Date: 13 October 1966

Last Amended: 27 November 1996

Grade: II

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 3181

Building Class: Recreational

ID on this website: 300003181

Location: Located on the roadside at the eastern end of the Llynnau Mymbyr and approximately 750m SW of the Capel Curig road junction.

County: Conwy

Community: Capel Curig

Community: Capel Curig

Traditional County: Caernarfonshire

Tagged with: Architectural structure

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Capel-Curig

History

Built as an Inn c1800-1 by Lord Penrhyn on his new turnpike road; added to in stages, c1808, and later C19. Described by Bingley, the early C19 traveller as `a mean pot house.' From 1808 the Shrewsbury to Holyhead mail-coach ran via Capel Curig, thereby increasing the inn's popularity. The Duke of Richmond (1807), George Borrow (1854), Queen Victoria and Kings Edward VII, George V and Edward VIII all stayed at the inn, which was re-named the Royal Hotel c1870. Presently an outdoor pursuits centre, for which modern additions and alterations have been made.

Exterior

Late Georgian storeyed inn of irregular plan, with stuccoed front and slate-hung side and rear elevations. The building consists of 6 distinct ranges, the three to the R of the early C19, the 3 to the L later C19. Hipped roof to 2-storey, 2-window block at far R, with a symmetrical 3 bay range adjoining and stepped-down slightly to the L; 12-pane recessed sash windows to ground and 9-pane to first floors, those to R section ground floor in pointed-arched recesses. Central entrance to 3-bay range with late C19 single-storey, hipped-roofed porch; corbelled eaves, part-glazed door. Adjoining to the L and slightly stepped-down, a 4-bay section comprising a gabled central entrance bay with flanking single-bay wings and, to the L a wide, projecting storeyed and canted bay. 12-pane sashes to ground floor as before, with 6-pane windows to upper floor; blind front-facing windows to canted bay. Porch to centre, as before, though wider, with flanking segmental openings to segmentally-arched entrance. Stepped-up and adjoining to the L, three later C19 blocks, the outer of which are of 3 storeys; that to far L has a raised ground floor above a basement. The R section has an advanced central bay with plain ground-floor entrance, and three asymmetrical gables to the upper floor; the roof is hipped to the R, and a modern extension adjoins to L Further 12, 9, 6 and 4-pane recessed sashes.

Similar windows and hipped roofs to slate-hung rear elevation, with blind and actual intersecting wooden Gothick windows to central canted bay and flanking ranges.

Interior

Plain single-flight stair to hall (now boxed-in), with stick balusters, swept pine rail and columnar newel; small gallery above with glazed top-light. Depressed-arched opening to R of hall with fanlight and modern doors. This leads to a corridor with panelled window reveals and a fine painted coat of arms on mounted canvas, set into the L wall; inscription below reads (in contemporary hand): `His grace the Duke of Richmond, September 6th, 1807.' Further, similar stair, though of narrow well type, at the end of the corridor, behind modern doors. Large dining room with ribbed, decorative plaster ceiling and plaster-panelled walls; Adamesque decorative motifs, all early C20.

Reasons for Listing

Included for its special interest as a famous, late Georgian former coaching inn.

External Links

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

Other nearby listed buildings

  • II Agricultural Building at Royal Farm
    Faces N across the Afon Llugwy valley on the western edge of Capel Curig; situated just beyond the Pont-y-Capel road bridge, opposite Capel Curig church.
  • II* Church of St Curig
    Situated immediately W of the A 4086 (Capel Curig to Caernarfon road), on the S bank of the Afon Llugwy; approximately 300m NE of Plas-y-Brenin (the National Recreation Centre).
  • II Pont-y-Capel
    Spanning the Afon Llugwy immediately N of Capel Curig church and carrying the A 4086.
  • II Hen Bont
    Spanning the Afon Llugwy across a dramatic wooded, rocky gorge, at the N end of Capel Curig village; approximately 50m N of the A 5 / A 4086 cross roads.
  • II Church of St Curig
    To W of A5 in churchyard above road. Opposite junction with A4086
  • II Milestone
    Situated on the roadside approximately .5km N of the Capel Curig road junction; set within a low rubble wall and partly submerged below the road level.
  • II Milestone
    Situated on the roadside approximately .6km NW of Pont Cyfyng.
  • II Milestone
    On the roadside in the Afon Llugwy valley some 3km NW of Capel Curig.; set against a low rubble wall

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