Listing Text

DEBENHAM HIGH STREET (east side)
TM 16 SE
6/89 No.27 (Sycamores)
(formerly listed as
9.12.55 Sycamores)
GV II*

House, incorporating at rear the former Buck inn (to south) and a theatrical
grandstand (to north). C18 front with C16 and early C17 work to rear. C19
alterations and additions. Timber framed, pebbledash-rendered facade. Paired
mutule eaves cornice. Roof slated to front and plaintiled to rear. Rear
wings are roughcast-rendered and plaintiled. 2 storeys. Symmetrical 3-bay
facade. Sash windows with glazing bars. Doric doorway with fluted pilasters,
entablature with triglyphs and mutule cornice. 6-panel raised and fielded
door, oblong overlight. Small C19 additions set back to left. At the rear,
several square-leaded casement windows, probably 19. Interior. Front block
has a well stair with stick balusters, wreathed mahogany handrail and shaped
tread-ends. Former Buck inn range to rear has C16 ground floor ceiling beams
with wide chamfers. The grandstand was an early C17 3-bay structure, the west
bay now lost. The upper floor was open-sided, with a handrail at about mid-
height; there are turned balusters to the south and east (the latter
incomplete) and plain balustrading to the north. The main posts to the south
are ovolo-moulded. Evidence for an axial partition on both floors. The
ground floor may also have been open but this and the original roof have been
lost. A very rare and possibly unique survival of a grandstand associated
with innyard entertainment, hence Grade II*. Referred to as 'the gallery' in
early C18. For drawings and photographs, see Mr T. Easton, Bedfield Hall.

Listing NGR: TM1740063256