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MID WALES - Rhayader, Lion Royal Hotel National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors Part Two West Street, Rhayader, LD6 5AB Tel: 01597 810202 Listed Status: Not listed View this pub on a local map
This unashamedly old-fashioned coaching inn retains a small bar that is unchanged since 1921. Amazingly, stabling for six horses and a 3/4 acre paddock are still in use today as this is a base for horse riding holidays (British Horse Society approved) from May to the beginning of October and you can bring your own horse or use one owned by the hotel. The hotel has been used as a courtroom, the seat of the Customs and Excise and in 1904 the inaugural meeting of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society was held here. The present owner recently celebrated 50 years running this hotel, which was until 1904 called the Red Lion and is at least 200 years old.
Head for the rear of hotel and you will find a small square hotel bar with 'Bar' in an etched and frosted panel on the door, a wood-block floor, a wonderful bar counter with Jacobean-detailing in the woodwork frontage, two sets of bar-back shelves at right angles to each other, one with a mirrored back, a display of 'Gin, Brandy and Rum' ceramic spirit vessels, a row of pewter mugs etc. on the shelves, even the ancient 'National' cash register is still in use. The bar fittings appear all of a piece and along with the glazed brick and marble/polished stone fireplace and two sections of bench seating almost certainly do date from 1920s. An extension to the rear of the bar houses a parquet floor small room no longer in use. Note the bell-pushes labelled 'Chambermaids' and 'Boots' - the latter referring to having your boots cleaned overnight and placed outside your door by first thing in the morning! This service ceased in the 1950s but the bell pushes are still in working order!
The lounge in the front left of the hotel has a large stone fireplace with a splendid cast-iron fireback weighing 2 1/4 cwt., a carved settle, and a light oak bar counter by a local craftsman which was installed in 1969 - hence the crown and Prince of Wales feathers as well as the lion head symbols on it. The bar is only usually open at weekends or when there are groups of people stopping at the hotel Welsh real ale can be ordered by your party. If you are planning a visit to take a look at the unspoilt bar you are recommended to ring ahead to check when it may be open.
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