The Bear Hotel, formerly the White Bear, stands on Beaufort Street, Crickhowell, Powys, Wales. A coaching inn from the mid 18th century, the building has older origins from the 17th and 15th centuries. It is a Grade II* listed building.
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]