The Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is a Grade II listed dwelling that was formerly known as The Upper George Inn. It dates from the late medieval period and has been remodeled in the 17th and 19th centuries. The building features a smooth rendered exterior on a timber frame, with some parts exposed, and a Welsh slate roof. It has a T-shaped plan, with a staircase in a projecting wing at the back and a central stack. The front elevation has two storeys, which rise to three storeys due to a steep drop towards Severn Street. The main front has a jettied section.

On the ground floor, there is a small canted 19th-century bay window and a small two-light old timber casement with fixed glass to the right of the entrance door. Additionally, there is a large 18th-century canted bay window with sash windows and glazing bars. The first floor features two three-light casements that are set very wide with an unwindowed center. A recent glazed door serves as the entrance, with a cellar entrance off Severn Street.

At the upper level at the back, there is a new fire light plus a transom oak window set in close stud framing. Inside, there is a deep fire opening with a large bressummer to the right of the entry, leading to a stone newel stair to the basement and an oak newel stair to the upper level, featuring a continuous worked soffit. The building contains various heavy structural beams, some of which are new, and the lower left wing is constructed of rubble and timber-framed with brick fill, also topped with a Welsh slate roof. On the ground floor of this wing, there is a small three-light casement window on the left, along with a pair of late 20th-century garage doors and a loading bay door above. The interior showcases heavy moulded timber structural members.