Hanbury Arms facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hanbury Arms |
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The Hanbury Arms viewed from the banks of the River Usk. The Norman tower (c. 1219) is visible at the left, adjoining the main building.
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | |
| Town or city | Caerleon, Newport |
| Country | Wales |
| Coordinates | 51°36′30″N 2°57′07″W / 51.608459°N 2.951936°W |
| Completed |
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The Hanbury Arms is a very old building in Caerleon, near Newport, Wales. It's a special kind of building called a "Grade II listed" public house. This means it's important and protected because of its history. The oldest parts of the building are from way back in 1219! It's also known as an Ancient Monument.
A famous poet, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, visited the Hanbury Arms in 1856. He loved the views of the river from the building. It's even said he started writing his famous poems, Idylls of the King, while he was there. Today, you can see a blue plaque on the building. There's another plaque near where he supposedly sat.
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What the Building Looks Like
The Hanbury Arms is built from local stone. It has a special white coating called limewash. The building is decorated in a style from the 1500s. Many of its original features are still there. The roof is made of local Welsh slate. The windows were changed in the 1800s. But the inside still looks very old and true to its history.
A Long History
Caerleon has a very long history. It was once an Iron Age hill fort for the Silures people. Later, the Romans came to Britain. They built a big fortress called Isca Augusta in Caerleon. This fortress was important for moving goods and soldiers along the River Usk.
The Mysterious Norman Tower
The oldest part of the Hanbury Arms is a Norman tower. It was built around 1219. No one is completely sure what the tower was for. One idea is that it worked with another tower across the River Usk. Together, they might have held a chain to control boats going up the river. Another idea is that it was part of the village's outer defenses.
From Home to Courtroom
In the 1600s, Caerleon's quay, which is like a dock, became very busy. The Hanbury Arms became an important place by the river. The main building started as a home and trading post. It was called Ty Glyndwr and was built by the Morgan family in 1565. Later, in the 1600s, it became a Magistrate's Court. The old Norman tower was even used as a lock-up, like a small jail!
The Hanbury Arms Today
Today, the Hanbury Arms is still a public house, just like it was in the 1700s. It's now run by a Welsh brewery called S.A. Brain. On weekends, it stays open until 11:30 PM. The Hanbury Arms often has live music. Local and international musicians play there. It's especially busy during the yearly Caerleon Arts Festival in the summer.
Images for kids
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Caerleon-Round Tower
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John Skinner Prout - Caerleon
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River and woods view, Caerleon - geograph.org.uk - 1594564
