Radnorshire Arms

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The Radnorshire Arms in 2011 The Radnorshire Arms, Presteigne (geograph 2469033).jpg
The Radnorshire Arms in 2011

The Radnorshire Arms is a well-preserved Jacobean building in the Welsh border town of Presteigne, in Powys.

The building has the date 1616 over its door [1] but it is claimed it dates to the 16th century, once owned by Sir Christopher Hatton, a lawyer and politician, Lord Chancellor of England and rumoured lover of Queen Elizabeth I. [2]

The Radnorshire Arms Presteigne, date unknown. Radnorshire Arms Presteigne (1294841).jpg
The Radnorshire Arms Presteigne, date unknown.

In 1616 it became home to a local man, John Bradshaw.

The building became an inn in 1792 and had several additions around 1875. [1] There are also many anomalies inside the Hotel itself, caused by the large number of changes and additions to the original structure. In 1875 a secret chamber was discovered off of what is now the Resident's Lounge, which turned out to be a Priest Hole. Behind one of the panels was the diary of a Catholic Priest who had been hiding there for two years. [2]

It is a Grade II* listed building [3] [4] and a hotel. It was sold out of administration to Allworks Properties in 2020, [5] and still operates as a hotel. [6]

References

  1. 1 2 Silvester, R.J. & Martin, C.H.R. CPAT Report No 1088: Historic settlements in Radnorshire. Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust, March 2011. Retrieved on 6 December 2014.
  2. 1 2 About "The Rad", theradnorshirearmshotel.co.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
  3. "Radnorshire Arms (81498)". Coflein. RCAHMW . Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  4. Radnorshire Planning Sub-Committee. "July 2007 meeting minutes". 4 July 2007, p. 3. Retrieved on 6 December 2014.
  5. "Radnorshire Arms sold out of administration". The Caterer. 2020-04-29. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  6. "Radnorshire Arms Hotel" . Retrieved 2 December 2025.

52°16′29″N3°00′31″W / 52.2747°N 3.0085°W / 52.2747; -3.0085