Hensol Castle (Including attached Courtyard Ranges to N)

Hensol Castle is a stone-built house of Grade I significance, comprising a 2 and 3-storey main block at the south end, a square inner courtyard to the middle with 2-storey ranges, and a further outer courtyard to the north end with single-storey ranges. The building is roofed in slate with simple freestone dressings and is profusely crenellated to all main elevations and towers.

The main front to the south is almost symmetrical. A 3-storey central block with projecting tower and porte-cochere is flanked by 2-storey wings. The entire composition is encrusted with crenellations, machicolations, corner turrets and arrow-loops in a strong "castle-air" manner. Windows are of 2 and 3 light mullion and transom design with hoodmoulds. The porte-cochere features 104-centred openings to each side and a ribbed plaster vault within. The masonry shows many alterations, including heightenings. The 3-storey block is terminated by slender towers, and the 2-storey wings beyond are of 3 bays each, ending in similar towers before returning to begin the side elevations; a traceried bay window projects to the right. The main front follows the line of the 18th-century building, retaining and fitting between two tall polygonal bays shown in a 1774 sketch.

The long east side begins with the projecting 3-storey bay featuring distinctive Gothic sash windows, with tall similar windows to the right. Beyond this the east side is stepped, becoming single-storey where it fronts the service courtyard. This elevation is punctuated first by a round tower, then a 3-storey square tower, followed by a 2-storey gatehouse tower with bellcote and clock, and ending to the north-east in a slender corner tower. Similar mullioned windows are present; there is a round-arched entry to the courtyard. The west side has square-headed traceried windows beside the corresponding polygonal bay, which on this side is cement-rendered and has an added storey with blocked Tudor windows and flatter machicolations. A 1-window Gothic section to the left precedes a late-Georgian section, then steps forward for a 2-storey, 6-window block with horned sashes, Tudor hoodmoulds and round towers to either end. The wall reverts to rubble for the adjoining west wall of the courtyard.

The inner courtyard has small-pane sash windows and a confusing amount of masonry changes on the south wall near a deeply recessed tripartite staircase window. A covered walk to the east side has iron columns; similar features appear in the outer courtyard which has paired high arches to the west side.

The panelled inner hall is of late 17th-century date but probably owes its character to Wyatt and Brandon works of the 1840s, forming an impressive example of its period. Doorways are exceptionally fine with scalloped hoods, each broadened by splayed and concave panelled reveals. The panelled ceiling features laurel wreaths; a marble chimneypiece is surrounded by 17th-century style timber-carved garlands and figureheads of Shakespeare and Raleigh. The hall opens onto a Classical Drawing Room to the east, which is largely of the 1730s but with some 1840s changes such as Doric window surrounds. The panelled ceiling features guilloche and fret pattern borders; pediments over doors and overmantel display good volutes. Gothic traceried shutters flank the later bay window. A square antechamber beyond has similar detail and opens onto a Gothic polygonal bay.

The Inner Hall leads to the Staircase Hall, from which part groin-vaulted corridors with Doric columns run. The fine early Georgian main staircase features a carved and swept-up handrail over barley-twist balusters and carved tread ends, crowned by an equally fine ceiling with coffered coving, garlanded corners and central rose. Some original glass is retained.

The plan of Hensol is confusing in that there are two substantial staircases. The similar but "secondary" stairs to the east presumably was intended for the family wing; the doorcases here are in debased Baroque manner. The Dining Room is reached past a now stranded Venetian window and could formerly be entered through an antechamber which has Ionic columned "screens" to both ends. The main room at the far west end of the main block, now known as the Seminar Room, is in Baronial style with rib-panelled ceiling bosses and linenfold panelling to dado, doors and shutters. A lavish marble chimneypiece features bright tilework. The 18th-century polygonal bayed room to the west side has different glazing bar detail to that on the east side.

On the first floor the main staircase opens onto an offset landing, perhaps indicating retention of earlier fabric. Ionic columns line the 1st floor corridor off which a bathroom has been created with a profusion of pedimented surrounds.