Latitude: 51.6037 / 51°36'13"N
Longitude: -3.3484 / 3°20'54"W
OS Eastings: 306708
OS Northings: 190289
OS Grid: ST067902
Mapcode National: GBR HQ.B0H9
Mapcode Global: VH6DJ.XY5H
Plus Code: 9C3RJM32+FJ
Entry Name: Merlin Hotel
Listing Date: 17 July 1990
Last Amended: 26 February 2001
Grade: II
Source: Cadw
Source ID: 13530
Building Class: Commercial
ID on this website: 300013530
Location: At the junction with Laundry Road.
County: Rhondda Cynon Taff
Town: Pontypridd
Community: Pontypridd
Community: Pontypridd
Locality: Pwllgwaun
Built-Up Area: Pontypridd
Traditional County: Glamorgan
Tagged with: Hotel
Dated 1887.
A simple Gothic style public house of 2 storeys with attic, of coursed rock-faced stone with freestone dressings and quoins. The slate roof has brick stacks. The windows are horned sashes under shouldered lintels, except for the pointed attic windows. The bar windows have frosted glass. The Pwllgwaun Road elevations has 3 paired bays, of which the outer bays are advanced and gabled. Laundry Road has a 4-window elevation, alternate bays having gabled attics. The main entrance is on the splayed corner, with a recessed doorcase and inner porch.
The chief interest of the building is the especially fine figure of Merlin supported by all the main elements of Welsh folklore. The statue is in the style of Thomas Nicholls who worked for William Burges, most notably on the sculptures at Castell Coch and Cardiff Castle. Merlin stands holding a harp with a goat and a leek at this feet and over the cusping to the front of the domed canopy are 2 dragons. Merlin stands on a polygonal bracket and the niche has a scalloped head. The whole is crowned by a pediment with ornate foliage and dated roundel.
Listed primarily because of the special interest of the corner statue and its rare subject.
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.
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