The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Anchor Inn, Tintern

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 09605g
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Tintern
Unitary authority : Monmouthshire
NGR : SO53207 00139
Site Type (preferred type first) : POST MEDIEVAL inn
Status : Listed Building II

Summary :
The Anchor Inn (a licenced premises from at least 1806) is made up of two wings, one of which is medieval in origin and may have been the house of the ferryman attached to Tintern Abbey (it is adjacent to the abbey's watergate and of one build with it). The other wing was originally a 17th century cider house with a granary above. Both parts of the structue have been extended and rebuilt during the course of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Description :
The Anchor Inn lies within the precinct wall of Tintern Abbey, immediately east of the watergate. This building, refurbished as a hotel in the mid-twentieth century, comprises two distinct sections forming an L-shape; a longer seventeenth century range of industrial origin possibly a cider-mill with granary over, and a shorter, older range, the house of the miller and ferryman of the Abbey ferry, reflecting an eighteenth century refurbishment of an essentially medieval structure. The Anchor has been in existence as licensed premises since 1806 and is thus likely to be a product of 'picturesque' tourism, but its position by the abbey's Watergate may reflect an involvement with hospitality going back to the Middle Ages. (LB 24032; Grade II) (Roberts, Gerrard & Graham)

Prior to its use as an inn, the Anchor had an industrial origin and was a cider-mill with granary above, while the shorter and older range was the house of the miller and ferryman of the Abbey ferry. The mill wheel likely dates from the use of the Anchor as a cider-mill and granary and so is of post-medieval (17-18th century) date. A watching brief in 2017 (E005847) was able to locate the in situ mill wheel which was retained to be displayed on the premises (Smith 2018).

The north wing formed part of the abbey buildings; the shape suggests that the core of the building is medieval, and it incorporates the remains of a medieval undercroft. It is believed to have been the house of the abbey's miller and ferryman. This wing, as it exists now, shows evidence for extensive reconstruction in 18th century, probably involving the heightening of the building. It has two windows on each floor on the main (south) frontage, and two blocked windows in the east gable wall, which also has a chimney.

The west wing is lower than the north wing and is roofed separately. It seems to have been constructed in the 17th century, in four bays, as a cider mill on the ground floor, with a granary above as evidenced by the door accessed by an external staircase and the heavy beams that support the upper floor. It has two doors and two windows below, and three windows to the upper storey. There is now a chimney at either end. This range was lengthened by extending it to the north to incorporate was was originally a separate 19th century building. The ground floor of this wing is now in use as the bar, with a cider mill (?in situ) in one corner (Cadw List description 24032)

Sources :
Cadw , Listed Buildings Description
Roberts, R, Gerrard, C & Graham E , 2009 , Historic Landscape Characterisation Lower Wye Valley

Events :
E005759 : The Anchor Inn, Tintern (year : 2017)
E005847 : The Anchor Inn, Tintern (year : 2017)

Related records
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 00714g
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 00717g
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 17000g
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 17001g

Compiled date : 08-06-2012


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