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Golden Cross, Cardiff facts for kids

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Golden Cross
Golden Cross, Cardiff - 4479872 - geograph.org.uk.jpg
The Golden Cross in 2014
General information
Type Public house
Location Cardiff, Wales
Address 283 Hayes Bridge Road, Cardiff, CF10 1GH
Coordinates 51°28′37″N 3°10′28″W / 51.47705°N 3.17444°W / 51.47705; -3.17444
Completed 1903
Designations
Listed Building – Grade II
Official name: Golden Cross Public House
Designated: 1975-05-19
Reference #: 13647

The Golden Cross is a special building in the center of Cardiff, Wales. It's a type of place called a public house, which is like a community gathering spot. You can find it where Customhouse Street and Hayes Bridge Road meet.

This building was finished in 1903. It's famous for its amazing and unique ceramic tiles. These tiles make the Golden Cross look very distinctive.

History of the Golden Cross

There has been a public house on this spot since 1849. It was first called The Golden Cross in 1863. The building you see today was rebuilt around 1903 or 1904. The tiles inside the pub even show the date 1903.

During the Second World War, a political leader named Oswald Mosley tried to hold a meeting at the pub. However, many people strongly disagreed with his ideas. Because of this strong opposition, he was unable to hold the meeting and had to go back to London.

In 1979, there were plans to knock down the pub. But a local newspaper started a campaign to save it. The pub had been given "listed status" in 1975. This means it was recognized as an important building and protected from being destroyed.

Amazing Architecture and Design

Interior of the Golden Cross, Cardiff (4)
Tiled panel showing Cardiff's Old Town Hall and the statue of Lord Bute

A group called CAMRA, which looks after historic pubs, says the Golden Cross has the most wonderfully decorated interior in all of Wales.

The beautiful tiles in the bar were made by a company called Craven Dunnill from Shropshire. These tiles have unique decorative figures called "grotesques" in the corners.

The inside of the pub also has several large, colorful tile pictures. These pictures show famous scenes like Cardiff Castle, the Brains Brewery in 1890, and Cardiff's Old Town Hall. One picture even shows a statue of Lord Bute from 1863.

The Golden Cross is special because it has one of only fourteen ceramic bar counters left in the United Kingdom. Another ceramic counter in Wales is at the Waterloo Hotel in Newport. The company Dunnill also used similar designs with grotesques in other pubs. These include the Mountain Daisy pub in Sunderland and the Gunmakers Arms in Birmingham. You can also find a very similar tiled design at the White Swan pub in Birmingham.

Inside the Golden Cross Gallery

  • Interior of the Golden Cross, Cardiff (2)

    A Brains Brewery logo in stained glass

  • Interior of the Golden Cross, Cardiff (8)

    The distinctive tiled bar

  • Interior of the Golden Cross, Cardiff (7)

    A ceramic tile display of Cardiff Castle

  • Interior of the Golden Cross, Cardiff (5)

    The snooker room

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