I've recently been told that planning permission has been sought to demolish The Crown Hotel. Apparently there was a notice in a recent South Wales Echo which I failed to spot. I personally think this a great shame as yet another Llandaff North/Whitchurch landmark gets pulled down and lost forever (thanks to money orientated investors who live outside the area). After all, this part of College Road is (was?) known as "Crown Hill".  I was wondering if any other correspondents to this website have any knowledge of this buildings' history/age etc. I have been told that it may have been built as a coach house by the Great Western Railway company - hence its close proximity to the railway line.   Kevin Dwyer

The rumour which I heard was that The Crown could not be demolished because it is a listed building, having said that Eglwys Newydd Boy's School was a listed building and that was demolished to make way for the present day block of flats.  The 1886 map below clearly shows the Crown Hotel near the railway line, so we know the building is at least 117 years old. I would like the present building to remain in place. Steve Nicholas                                                            

I showed Sylvia the 1881 census at the Crown. George Steele was her Great Grandfather. Her grandmother was Ada Hannah Stevens nee Steele who was born at the Crown in 1878, she will be better remembered as the landlady of the Royal Exchange Ty Mawr Road for about 40 years. Sylvia was led to believe by her grandmother that George Steele had the Crown built but we have no positive proof for this.  Hope this helps    John & Sylvia