Merlin Hotel

The Merlin Hotel is a two-storey public house with an attic, dating from the 19th century and built of coursed rock-faced stone with freestone dressings and quoins. The slate roof is punctuated by brick stacks. Horned sash windows are set under shouldered lintels, except for the pointed attic windows. The bar windows have frosted glass. The facade facing Pwllgwaun Road features three paired bays, with the outer bays projecting and gabled. The Laundry Road elevation has a four-window front, with alternate bays featuring gabled attics. The main entrance is located on the splayed corner, set within a recessed doorcase and an inner porch.

The building’s most significant feature is a fine statue of Merlin, supported by elements of Welsh folklore. The statue is sculpted in the style of Thomas Nicholls, who worked for William Burges on sculptures at Castell Coch and Cardiff Castle. The statue depicts Merlin holding a harp, with a goat and a leek at his feet, and two dragons above the front of the domed canopy. Merlin stands on a polygonal bracket, and the niche is adorned with scalloped details. The whole composition is topped by a pediment with ornate foliage and a dated roundel.