Queens Vaults, Westgate Street, Cardiff, is a Grade II listed public house in the heart of Cardiff, dating from the late Victorian period. The red brick, two-storey pub has polychrome tiling with a slate roof, and stands in a prominent position on the corner with Golate. It is listed because it is "well preserved ... with good polychrome tile work" (listing text).
Left: The central area of the Westgate Street frontage, showing the polychromatic brickwork and tiling. Right: The smart sign with its familiar, rather unamused-looking face.
According to Wales Online, the unusual name "Vaults" is more common in the north of England, where it refers to "a workingmen’s bar, as opposed to a more upmarket ‘smoke room’ or ‘lounge.’" The main entrance to the bar is on the corner; seen on the left above is the large window of the dining area.
Photographs, text and formatting by Jacqueline Banerjee. You may use these images without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this URL or cite the Victorian Web in a print document.
Bibliography
"Flyhalf Firkin Castle." (Note, the name was changed in the late 1990s, but has since reverted to its original name. Perhaps that is why the pub sign looks quite new.) British Listed Buildings. Web. 21 August 2019.
Queen’s Vaults, 29 Westgate Street, Cardiff, CF10 1DA." Wales Online. Web. 21 August 2019.
Created 22 August 2019