Cymryd

Cymryd is a small late medieval hall dating from around 1500, with subsequent additions and alterations spanning the late 16th century, around 1696, circa 1890 and circa 1965.

The primary hall range retains its original service partition screen and lateral chimney, though the parlour bay was replaced early in the building's history. The present parlour range is a two-storey gabled cross-wing dated 1696, marked with the initials of its then owners David and Katherine Lloyd. Internal alterations including the stair clearly relate to this 1696 intervention, though the detailing of the parlour ceiling and its relationship to the stair suggest the parlour wing may actually be a late 16th-century addition that was cosmetically refurbished in 1696, accounting for otherwise peculiar anachronisms in its construction and detailing.

The ceiling-over of the hall was executed in two phases. The section nearest the service partition closely relates to the parlour ceiling and is probably contemporary with it, dating to the late 16th century, while the remainder is of late 17th-century character.

The primary east range is single-storey, constructed of rubble with a steeply pitched slate roof. An off-centre entrance to the cross-passage has a timber lintel and part-glazed circa 1890 door. A 2-light leaded window sits to the left, possibly in an original opening though of similar date. To the right of the entrance stands a wide gabled lateral chimney, apparently original though with a rebuilt upper section. A 3-light window of similar type faces south towards the courtyard, with the opposing entry contained within an attached 19th-century single-storey service wing featuring a tall plain chimney to its south gable and further similar openings. The parlour wing adjoins the hall to the west and rises to two storeys plus attic. It is constructed of the same rubble with some re-used apparently medieval sandstone ashlar blocks incorporated. Coped parapet gables feature simply-decorated kneelers, and the south gable has a chimney matching that of the primary range. Leaded windows sit on the north and west sides, some occupying primary openings. Between the ground and first-floor windows of the north gable, a sandstone date plaque inscribed 1696 bears the initials LL/H.K DVW/A.DIGON. The south gable displays two 2-light stone mullioned windows with chamfered jambs. Modern stone extensions from circa 1965 attach to the south-east in vernacular style. An early 20th-century conservatory adjoins the parlour wing to the east, positioned in the angle between it and the hall range.

The interior features a cross-passage arrangement giving access to the hall, with an original post-and-panel service partition screen to the east containing two contemporary Tudor-arched openings. Stopped-chamfered ceiling joists show evidence for former ladder access to an upper loft or chamber. The inner screen to the cross-passage is a copy from circa 1890. A large inglenook fireplace with bressummer and modern grate occupies the interior, its modern seating fitted with re-set linenfold panelling of 1530-40, not original to the house. A fragmentary dividing screen between hall and parlour at the former dais end is of post-and-panel type, probably late 16th century though possibly in part original. The roof comprises three bays; the eastern truss is of simple collar type and was formerly an infilled partition, while the principal truss unusually features jointed crucks with a collar beam having cusped raking struts.

The parlour wing contains a wide single-flight oak stair belonging to the 1696 phase, with simple geometric newel posts, flat shaped balusters and original treads and risers. A post-and-panel partition wall divides the upper hall from the parlour, which has random-width oak floorboards. The parlour was subdivided during late Victorian alterations to create a small bedroom, separated from the remaining parlour space by a contemporary post-and-panel partition screen. Good stopped-chamfered joists support the crossbeam parlour ceiling, with some featuring ogee stops.

The building is included at Grade II* as a late medieval house with sub-medieval alterations and additions that retain much of its interior character.