Elizabeth Taylor haunt snapped up at auction

An historic multi-award-winning South Wales pub, favoured by Hollywood stars Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, has been sold at auction for in excess of its guide price. The 18th century Pencelli Hotel in Treaorchy in the Rhondda Valley was put up for sale through Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions with a guide of £173,000. It sold for £180,000 after a battle between three bidders. Debra Bisley of Paul Fosh Auctions said: “The Pencelli Hotel oozes history from every square inch of its bricks and mortar. It has had a celebrated past over many years and is now well placed to repeat its multi award winning journey at the centre of its unique community after being bought at auction.” Burton and Taylor were frequently spotted in the pub’s snug. The pub is also famed for being where the decision was made at the end of the Second World War to reform the world-renowned Treorchy Male Voice Choir.