Listing Text

DEBENHAM HIGH STREET (west side)
TM 16 SE
6/100 No.26 (Bleak House)
(formerly listed as
9.12.55 Bleak House)

GV II*

Originally part of former inn, now a house. Circa 1540. Timber framed,
exposed studding with herringbone brick nogging, much of the nogging to High
Street frontage renewed. Plastered at rear. Plaintiled roof. 2 storeys and
attic. Continuous jetty on original brackets; only the caps of the buttress-
shafts remain. Corner post has carving to cap, spandrels and base, the latter
much weathered. The mid rail immediately below the jetty is moulded. Various
casement windows, mostly old. 6-panel door (upper 2 panels glazed), reached
by a short flight of steps. Gable end to Gracechurch Street has original
cellar entrance with wide timber arch; adjacent is a smaller brick arch.
Above there is evidence for oriel windows on both floors. Internal stack
towards south end of range, at junction with adjacent dwelling (qv. Item
6/101). Interior. Corner room has moulded floorbeams, the joists concealed;
this was probably a parlour. Chamber above has blocked fireplace with
original lintol; the opening was exceptionally wide for an upper room. There
was a continuous gallery at the rear. Queen-post roof, much of the bracing
removed and many rafters in front slope renewed mid C20. One tie beam appears
to be a later replacement in softwood, with solid braces bolted to the
wallposts. For remainder of the former inn, see No.28 High Street (qv. Item
6/101) and Nos. 1-3 Gracechurch Street (Item 6/71). For drawings of the
complete frame, see Mr T. Easton, Bedfield Hall.

Listing NGR: TM1737963241