Witchill Hotel, Barry

Victorian corner pub built in 1891 with some of the most ornate ceiling decoration in a pub in Wales; it still retains a rare Jug and Bottle Department. The public bar, accessed from Herbert Street, was originally two rooms and there was an entrance in the middle of the room. The bar back is original with some new wood and mirrors but another one on the right has been lost; the counter originally went all along the back wall but was shortened in 1962. This high ceilinged room has an impressive cornice featuring malt shovels, casks, and hops; large ceiling roses; impressive arches and shoulders, the latter two with detail picked out in green and purple.

The lounge, which is only open in the evenings, is accessed from the Barry Road mosaic floored entrance (WH = Witchill Hotel) - the mosaic floor continued throughout the hallway but is now covered by lino tiles. Formerly two rooms, the lounge retains its original bar back with two deep drawers, one used to store cigarettes, and the counter looks original. The rear part has bar fittings that mainly look from the 1960s but parts are older. There is another superb cornice of grapes and leaves and a 'Smoke Room' panel in the inner door. Between the two bars is the intact Jug & Bottle Department with an etched window, a wood and glass partition, two hatches and shelving.

For other impressive ceiling decoration take a look at the frieze and ceiling roses at Halfway Hotel, Llanelli; also the bracket over the fireplace at the Slaters Arms, Corris.