History in Structure

The Cambria

A Grade II* Listed Building in Menai Bridge, Isle of Anglesey

We don't have any photos of this building yet. Why don't you be the first to send us one?

Upload Photo »

Approximate Location Map
Large Map »

Coordinates

Latitude: 53.2222 / 53°13'20"N

Longitude: -4.163 / 4°9'46"W

OS Eastings: 255689

OS Northings: 371648

OS Grid: SH556716

Mapcode National: GBR 5N.136L

Mapcode Global: WH547.08XM

Plus Code: 9C5Q6RCP+VR

Entry Name: The Cambria

Listing Date: 14 February 1967

Last Amended: 18 July 1997

Grade: II*

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 5406

Building Class: Domestic

ID on this website: 300005406

Location: Near the foot of Menai Bridge on the E side, overlooking the Menai Straits, on the NW side of Cambria Road, leading from Beach Road.

County: Isle of Anglesey

Town: Menai Bridge

Community: Menai Bridge (Porthaethwy)

Community: Menai Bridge

Built-Up Area: Menai Bridge

Traditional County: Anglesey

Tagged with: Building

Find accommodation in
Menai Bridge

History

Originally built as a 2-unit house with central rear wing, in the C17 (a documentary date of 1686 is cited in Smith). This was extended, probably early C18, with L-plan range comprising a single unit continuation of the original main range to the S, and an advanced E wing, to form a large T-plan house; remodelling of the original building took place at the same time, as there is consistent detail throughout. The house was formerly used as a public house and hotel, notably for travellers using the ferry across the Menai Straits before the bridge was built in 1826. The house has been known as a variety of names, including 'Three Tuns Inn', 'Ferry', 'Borth Ferry House', or 'Borth'. Also, more recently 'Borth Hotel', 'Bangor Ferry', and 'Red Lion (Bangor Ferry)'.

Exterior

T-plan; 2 storeys with attic and cellar. Mortared rubble masonry walls, whitewashed. Slate roof with rubble and brick stacks marking the original gable ends, and also the gable ends of the L-plan C18 addition. Original range appears to be a 3-unit plan with entrance at SE and 3 x 16 pane sash windows to first floor. E wing forms 3 window range facing N with 12 pane sashes. Rectangular fan light with glazing bars over door in E elevation. Inn-sign bracket on E gable of projecting wing.

Interior

Said by RCAHM(W) to contain plain stop-chamfered beams and original roof trusses of simple braced collar-beam type, with curved collars and delicate chamfers. A room in the east wing is said to contain raised, fielded, bolection moulded panelling, and a staircase with slender turned balusters, much repaired. Window seats are also referred to in previous listing description.

Reasons for Listing

Listed as a locally important vernacular house pre-dating the growth of the Victorian town of Menai Bridge, and retaining much historic character. Also notable for its history as the inn serving ferry travellers crossing the Menai Straits before the Menai Suspension Bridge was built.

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 Cottage on W side of Beach Road
    Single storey cottage set between two storeyed houses on the west side of Beach Road, below the Cambria in Menai Bridge, close to the Strait.
  • II The Foundry
    In the lower part of Menai Bridge, alongside the Menai Strait, running at right angles from the shore to Beach Road. There is a yard area to the north.
  • II New Street
    New Street is between the main road through the settlement and the shore line, NE of the suspension bridge on the west side of a rocky outcrop.
  • II New Street
    New Street is between the main road through the settlement and the shore line, NE of the suspension bridge on the west side of a rocky outcrop.
  • II Former Police Station
    Located on the west side of Beach Road, in the lower part of Menai Bridge. Abutting the northern end is the former courthouse.
  • II Menai Courthouse Church
    Located on the west side of Beach Road, in the lower part of Menai Bridge. Abutting the northern end of the former police station.
  • II Capel Mawr Chapel House
    Within the grounds and S of Capel Mawr Presbyterian Chapel, at the corner of Chapel Street and New Street.
  • I Menai Suspension Bridge (CROWN PROPERTY)
    Spanning the Menai Straits to W of the city.

BritishListedBuildings.co.uk is an independent online resource and is not associated with any government department. All government data published here is used under licence. Please do not contact BritishListedBuildings.co.uk for any queries related to any individual listed building, planning permission related to listed buildings or the listing process itself.

British Listed Buildings is a Good Stuff website.