Listing Text

WELLS

ST5446 ST THOMAS STREET
662-1/6/268 (North side)
12/11/53 Nos.3 AND 5

GV II*

House in short row, now 2 houses. Probably C14 origins, with
C17 and C19 modifications. Rendered and colourwashed over
rubble, clay pantiled roof with abutment to west and
continuation to east, brick and rendered chimney stacks.
PLAN: Nos 3 and 5 joined by a shared passageway, a possible
former screens passage; No.3 possibly represents the service
room to the hall and inner room in No.5; heightened and
remodelled in later years, the passage entry being positioned
beneath a front lateral stack and with a shared roof structure
of early C17 date; later rear extensions.
EXTERIOR: 2 storeys with attic. No.3 of 3 wide bays irregular
fenestration. Plinth, C20 doorway with sidelight in a recess
to bay 1, composite sash window of 4+12+4 panes to bay 2 and a
12-pane sash window to bay 3. First floor has three 12-pane
sash windows, none aligned with those below. Almost in centre
of roof is a raked dormer with a 3-light small-pane casement
window. No.5 of single wide bay with flat-roofed angled bay
window of 3+15+3 panes, beneath a 12-pane sash; C20 attic
window in east gable. The passageway is entred through a
moulded pointed arched C14 doorway, with ancient plank door on
strap hinges.
INTERIOR: VAG notes stop-chamfered beams and c1700 stair with
turned balusters and newel in No.3; No.5 has timber-framed
wall adjoining passageway, stop-chamfered beams and open
fireplace with segmental wooden lintel; shared C17
collar-truss roof with tenoned collars and purlins.
Reputedly the earliest secular house in Wells, but clearly
much remodelled from C17.
(Hale B: Vernacular Architecture Group Report: 1986-).

Listing NGR: ST5527946023