Buildings of Llandaff

The Prebendal House, though much modernised, is still basically the "new house built by the Chapter in the Churchyard" that is mentioned in the 1679 Act Book. In 1684 it was ordered that the building should be furnished to accommodate meetings of the Chapter. It now houses a song room for the Cathedral choir and is used for meetings and vestries. Two stone urns standing before it are survivors from John Wood's Italian temple.The Deanery lies on the N side of the Green, its appearance is ca. 1840 but the property was present by 1776.
    Cathedral Court Built as the Deanery 1861-3 by Ewan Christian. Christian was architect to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners from 1854 and President of the Royal Institute of British Architects 1884-6. His works include the National Portrait Gallery in London. Next door is Pendinas, also by Christian, built as the Canonry. They are fronted by Goscombe John's War Memorial of 1924.
    The W end of the Green is closed by a terrace (1979) designed by Wyn Thomas and partners.
    On the S side of the Green no 19 is of 1888 by Halliday and Anderson, mock half-timbered in the style of Norman Shaw; nos 7-13 may also be by Halliday and are of the same character. The Old House has an 18th-century character but some 16th-century features. Black Hall incorporates the remnants of a medieval upper floor hall house. The buildimng can be identified with the house of the prebendary of Llangwm (near Usk), one of seven former canons' residences and the only one of which traces remain.
    On the High Street, the minor canonries of St Andrew and St Cross are by Christian. On Cardiff Road note John Prichard's Probate Registry (1860-3) in picturesque Early English style, and adjacent, the Old Registry. Prichard, the restorer of the Cathedral, made a considerable contribution to secular building in Llandaff. The Probate Registry is an outstanding example of his work.
   Part of the building that is now St Michael's Theological College was originally built by John Prichard as his home and office. After his death in 1886 the building was extended in 1905-7 by F R Kempson, and the college moved to Llandaff from its original home in Aberdare. Hit by enemy action ijn 1941 it was restored in 1957, and graced by a chapel designed by George Pace.
    The Cathedral School was built as Llandaff Court for Admiral Thomas Mathew (1744-6) in plain classical style. It was later owned by Walter Coffin, coal owner and MP, and was purchased by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in 1851. The chapel, by Ewan Christian, dates from 1859. Used as the Bishop's Palace, it became the Cathedral School in 1958.
    Beyond the core of the village lie Howell's School (1858-9) with extensions by Halliday around and after 1900; Churchill's Hotel (formerly Llandaff Place, mid 19C Italianate style); Llandaff House (mid 18C); Rookwood Hospital (high Victorian Gothic, post 1866, possibly by Prichard); Insole Court, a Victorian gothic mansion in pleasant grounds, begun 1855 by W G and E Habershon, with later Victorian additions, and an interior influenced by Burges; and Ely Rise (another Gothic house by Prichard). The most notable modern structure in Llandaff is Broadcasting House designed by Dale Owen of Percy Thomas and Partners in 1963-7.