Ornate wall frieze uncovered by Ruthin builders dated to late 16th century

Underneath a layer of Victorian plaster at the former Wynnstay Arms, Well Street, builders have found decorative wall covering which experts date to the late 16th century.

The Grade II-listed timber-framed building was built as a prestigious townhouse in the sixteenth century, later becoming a pub and coach house with stables. In the mid-19th century it was turned into a hotel, called the Cross Foxes, and a plaque remains on the frontage stating that George Borrow, the 19th century English author and travel writer, once stayed there.

A section of the frieze. Details include floral patterns and urns. Picture: Kerry Roberts

Builders carrying out refurbishment in the upper room of the townhouse uncovered the frieze. Picture: Kerry Roberts

There are only two similar examples of frieze in North Wales, at Nantclwyd y Dre, Wales' oldest timber-framed townhouse which is also in Ruthin, and the Plas Maenan country house in Conwy.

Owners Fiona and Andrew Gale bought the Well Street building three years ago and contracted Ruthin builders Lloyd Building Services to carry out refurbishment work in January. It was whilst stripping the walls of the upstairs sitting room that they revealed the decoration.

Mrs Gale, who retired as an archaeologist for Denbighshire Countryside Service last year, said the finding is “incredibly exciting” and she has spoken with experts to find out the frieze’s origins, importance and what to do with it.

Owners Andrew and Fiona Gale with some of the cleaned plaster. Picture: Kerry Roberts

Mrs Gale contacted Denbighshire County Council’s conservation team, who contacted Cadw to confirm the date of the frieze. Cadw said it is “rare”.

She also spoke with the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, who seconded its rarity.

She said: “We were very surprised but it is incredibly exciting, there are probably only one or two examples of this in North Wales.

“There is a lot of dampness in the building so we asked the contractors to strip it back to basics. They were taking off the mouldy Victorian plaster board and beneath that we found older plaster again.

“When they found the frieze they were extremely interested and took a lot of care.

The former Wynnstay Inn on Well Street. Picture: Kerry Roberts

“The plaster was covered in layers of paint and once that was cleared we found incredible detail. There are three patterns, which have floral designs either side, and then urns on either side of them.

“We are hoping to restore the bits that have survived. It will be glass sealed and make a really nice feature.

“Hopefully the building will take part in the Ruthin Open Doors heritage event later in the year.”

Tony Lloyd, owner of Lloyd Building Services, has worked on listed buildings before, including Conwy Castle, and said that discoveries like the frieze “make the job very interesting”.

He said: “We knew it was old oak frame and that this would have been a very prestigious townhouse in the fifteenth century, but it wasn’t until we pulled the plaster down that we realised an item of this value was there.

An old Ruthin glass bottles found in the building. Picture: Kerry Roberts

“A lot of detrimental modernisation has been carried out in the twentieth century that I would say is vandalism; it was done with scant regard for the building’s history and cut through some of the frieze. Water has also penetrated the roof and damaged the plaster.

“The work to refurbish the room after finding the frieze is not straightforward and we’ve taken advice from Cadw.

“The frieze has been taken down to be preserved and, once the plastering stage is complete, it will be sealed by Mr and Mrs Gale and returned to the wall so it is back where it came from.”