The Groes Inn

The Groes Inn is an inn, dating largely from the late 17th century, though it may incorporate a late 16th or early 17th century core. It was established as an inn as early as 1578, when it was mentioned as 'tavarne y Groes' in a court order, and again under the same name in June 1580. The building has been altered and extended in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The building is constructed of rendered rubble with hipped slate roofs and plain rendered chimneys. The central section is believed to be the oldest, appearing as a storied end chimney house typical of the region. This section features a central entrance with a modern door and a 20th century part-open porch. Flanking this are 12-pane sliding sash windows from the second quarter or mid-19th century, featuring crown glass and bullseye panes; a modern window is located to the right. Two 19th century sash windows are situated under the eaves, and to the right is the painted, raised stucco date "1400", a late 19th century addition intended to appear historical. A 20th century section is located to the left, with a boarded and studded door and a multi-pane fixed window to the right. The first floor has 12-pane steel-framed windows. All windows have modern external wooden shutters. A second quarter or mid-19th century wing extends to the rear, forming an ‘L’ shape with the earlier range. Further 20th century extensions adjoin the original building.

Inside, the main ground-floor room has a beamed ceiling with chamfered joists and beams with run-out stops, showing evidence of a former lateral partition. A large inglenook fireplace includes internal niches and a later oven, and features an ogee-stopped chamfered bressummer. An early 18th century pine stair has large, plain newels, a sloped rail, and pronounced flat, shaped balusters, which continue around the stairhead to form a balustraded gallery, currently enclosed. The main hall has a quarry-tiled floor from the 19th century. The primary section has a three-bay pegged and chamfered collar truss roof.

The inn occupies a prominent roadside location and retains historic detail internally. It is an early recorded inn.

Reference: RCAHMW, Caernarvonshire, Vol.1, East, 129-130 (445).