History

C19 inn with late-medieval or early Tudor timber-framed origins. Evidence for the timber-framed structure is visible on the first floor, together with partition trusses and a central chamfered truss. The roof was not accessible at the time of survey though the implication is of a 3-bay hall house perhaps originally with central open hall. The central chimney and a surviving ceiling are certainly of at least second-quarter C16 date and, as the chimney is almost certainly an insertion in a pre-existing timber-framed building, it is probable that the building has a late medieval origin. The facade was refaced in brick in the second-quarter or mid C19 and was further altered in the C20 with the addition of porches; late C20 additions and alterations to the rear.

Exterior

Two-storey inn of roughly G plan with a main street-facing range and later rear additions incorporating a C19 outbuilding. Of brick construction, the primary range with timber-framed core, with rendered main elevations; slate roof with tiled ridge. Rendered central stack and small end chimney to the L. The facade is asymmetrical with five C19 six-pane horned sash windows to the first floor and 2 further, similar windows flanking a ground-floor slated porch to the R; simple moulded stucco surrounds to the windows. To the L is a similar projecting porch addition with a large 8-pane C20 window beyond. Each porch is pebble-dashed and has part-glazed doors and single brick steps in front. That to the L is earlier and has oversailing eaves; both have plain bargeboards. Between the third and fourth first-floor window is affixed a C20 inn sign; to the L of this a masonry break is discernible, perhaps relating to the bay divisions of the original timber-framed structure. The rear incorporates a whitened rubble stable block, probably C19; boarded loading bay to the gable end. Modern windows and doors.

Interior

Altered interior, though formerly of chimney-backing-on-entry plan. The lounge-bar has a close-set early Tudor beamed ceiling with broad, flat joists, finely stopped-chamfered. Large contemporary fireplace with heavily-moulded flat oak bressummer. This contains a recessed C20 Tudor-style fireplace of reconstituted stone. A further, similar fireplace is in the Snooker Room; this with boxed lateral beam. The first floor has an ex-situ wooden staircase newel from a former (perhaps primary) spiral stair, with mortising evidence for the former risers. Structural timbers, including wall posts and a 4-bay roof structure are visible, including 2 partition trusses of queen-post type (the infill-sections and most uprights removed), together with a chamfered central principal.

Reasons for Listing

Listed for its special interest as a mid C19 inn with late medieval or early Tudor timber-framed origins retaining some original internal detail and a predominently C19 facade.
Group value with other listed items in Vale Street.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• Wikidata Q29500761

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, and Peterborough (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  [(Bedfordshire, Huntingdon and Peterborough)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1968)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)