Archaeological survey 2018

An archaeological survey in 2018 showed that Plas Gunter Mansion was built in three distinct phases. Since then, there have been various additions as the building has been used in different ways. Have a look through the images below for the clues which have revealed the building's past, and proposals for its future.

Plas Gunter Mansion in the 20th century

Plas Gunter Mansion early 20th century

Plas Gunter Mansion 1965

Plas Gunter Mansion 1967

Plas Gunter Mansion modern day

Phase 1 1625 - 1650

The building was a centrally planned Renaissance house
It has two storeys and an attic
It had a cross passage on the ground floor in line with front door from Cross Street
There was a room each side of the cross passage with end chimneys
It has distinctive 17th century dentilled eaves

Ovolo mouldings

Ovolo mouldings were fashionable in Wales in the early-mid 17th century. You can see these mouldings on the transverse beams at both ground and first floor levels within each room. They are also on some remaining early joists as seen on lifting floorboards to the central, east-facing, chamber on the first floor.

Fireplace stairs

It is possible that fireplace stairs once provided access to both first and second floor levels from both ends of the building, with some evidence surviving for the stair at the north end.

Fireplace stairs are common in 16th and 17th century houses.

Doors

The door frame at the halfway point of the spine corridor on the first floor is likely to be original, its ovolo moulding being in keeping with the rest of the house. The reformed square head looks like a later 18th or 19th century alteration. This doorway provided access between the principle chamber and its outer chamber.

Ornate plaster ceiling

This wonderful picture of the ornate plaster ceiling on the first floor was taken in the 1950s. Originally, the room would have been the principle bedchamber.

Phase 1b 1625 - 1650

A projecting rear porch was added
The staircase tower, where Dynamite Branding is currently situated, was also added

Evidence of additions

The stairs and upper rooms below are all additions from the second phase. There is also evidence of a window.

Rear view of the attic

This rear view of the attic can no longer be seen.

Phase 2 1650 - 1680

The Dynamite Branding wing (37 Cross Street) containing the chapel was added
The ornate plaster ceiling in the first floor chamber was installed

Plan showing the difference building phases

This plan of the first floor shows the original building in grey, with the later additions in red.

Plaster ceiling

At this stage of the investigation, it is thought possible that the ornate plaster ceiling in the first floor chamber may have been installed during the second phase of building.

Attic chapel

The attic chapel was boarded up for 200 years. It is not yet know whether the chapel was used by the catholic priests, David Lewis and Phillip Evans, or whether it was created after their executions as a memorial.

Graffiti screen

Our experts believe the graffiti screen found in the attic is a much later addition and think it could have been done by workmen or even children owing to its lack of sophistication.

Concealed window

There is evidence of a concealed window behind the graffiti screen on the south gable end of the chapel wing.

Fireplace staircase

There is also evidence of a window where the staircase is which further supports the theory that the Dynamite Branding wing is an addition to the original building.

Adoration of the Magi fresco

As yet, it is unclear where the Adoration of the Magi fresco which is currently in Abergavenny Museum was situated. It could possibly have been on the sloping wall of the attic.

There are clear differences between the black and white photo of the fresco, taken when it was uncovered in 1907, and the painting on display today. Some of it is missing - probably lost during its removal - and the later version appears to have been touched up.

Layout by the end of 17th century

These plans show how we believe the house was laid out by the end of the seventeenth century.

Ground floor

First floor

Second floor

Options for the restoration

Whilst plans for the building's restoration and use are not set in stone, there are some things we are certain about:

The building must be self-sustaining. This will undoubtedly be a condition of any restoration funding we receive.
At least part of the building must be available for the wider community to enjoy, such as a visitor centre.

We would like the space to be as flexible as possible to allow for a variety of options.

At the moment, our thinking is to create:

A retail or office space on the ground floor of the original buildings (nos 38, 39, and 39a).
A Landmark Trust style holiday flat on the first floor which would contain the chamber with the Jacobean ceiling (to be open to the public several times a year).
Office space on the second floor.
A self-contained visitor centre at no 37, currently Dynamite Branding.
A commemorative chapel in the attic room where the chapel was located.

Of course, this may change as there are further investigations.

Proposed plans

Ground floor