Normal College founded by the British and Foriegn School Society to train teachers in non-denominational primary schools. After starting in the vestry of Twrgwyn Chapel, Rev. J Phillips raised the funds for this building, costing £13,500. It was built 1858-62 by james Barnett of London, Kennedy and Rogers were the contractors. The accommodation areas were converted c1910 following the building of the halls of residence.
Built in the Jacobean Style, on and E-shape plan to two-storeys with an attic. Constructed of ashlar stone with band courses, a plainth and gable parapets. The slate roofs are taller to the end wings and have leaded bell-cotes and stone chimney stacks.
The north front is symmetrical with stepped gables to the centre and shaped gables to the end wings, which also have bullnose rubble basements. It is lit by mullion and transome windows of various proportions, with two storey bay windows to the north ends of the end wings and single storey bays to the return elevations. There is a full height central porch with a bowed oriel, flanked to either side by first floor oriel windows. The porch is reached by a flight of steps and comprises a triple entrance with heavily banded piers and keyblocked round arches, with double doors flanked by narrow windows. there is a further entrance to the left hand wing, and a basement extension to the right hand one. At rear the central and end bays are advanced and gabled, to centre flanked by splay bay windows with shaped parapets. The end bays have arched entrances with recessed doors and first floor oriel windows.
There is a central prospect tower with a shaped gable and gargoyles, lit by narrow windows and bullseye gable windows in the pitched roof. Topped by a weather-vane dated 1862.
The interior has a square full height entrance hall/stairwell with a stone staircase with a highly ornate iron balustrade.
Source: Based on CADW listing description.
S Fielding, RCAHMW, no date.