Bear Hotel, Crickhowell

The Powys edition of The Buildings of Wales describes the Bear as "the epitome of an 18th century coaching inn".^[1] It is reputed to have functioned as an inn since 1432,^[2] although Cadw attributes a certain dating only to the 17th century.^[3] In the late 19th century the inn was a local headquarters of the Cyclists' Touring Club.^[4] The Bear remains an independent hotel.^[5] In the 1990s, Robbie Williams stayed at the Bear for some months, when recording at Rockfield Studios following his split from Take That.^[6] In 2004 Johnny Depp visited while filming The Libertine at Tretower Court.^[7]

The main block of the hotel comprises three storeys with four bays, with a central porch flanked by Doric columns,^[1] and an arched carriage entrance to the right.^[3] The Bear is a Grade II* listed building,^[3] with the hotel bar having its own Grade II listing.^[8]

• Scourfield, Robert; Haslam, Richard (2013). Powys: Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire and Breconshire. The Buildings of Wales. New Haven, US and London: Yale University Press. ISBN 9780300185089.